Pauline Hanson says she will introduce a legally contentious Bill targeting foreign fighters to parliament on Tuesday despite warnings such legislation would fail to stand up to a High Court challenge.
The Protecting Australians from Foreign Terrorist Fighters Bill seeks to establish tougher passport-blocking powers, stop the automatic issue of return permits during a court case, set up stronger bail laws for terror offences, and criminalise assisting in unauthorised returns.
The proposed laws would also set up a “foreign terrorist fighter exclusion order” that could be imposed by the Federal Court upon request of the minister.
Senator Hanson claimed the Bill would “push parliament to shut the door on dangerous foreign terrorist fighters trying to enter Australia” in a post on X.
She compared her legislation to Labor’s proposed gambling reforms and questioned if Labor would “move just as fast” to “protect Australians from terrorists”.
“And if (Home Affairs Minister) Tony Burke says legal advice stops him acting, One Nation call on him to release it,” Senator Hanson said.
“Australians deserve to see it. The safety of our nation should come first.” The proposed legislation last month sparked criticism from Mr Burke, who said One Nation’s proposal would “last about 30 seconds in the High Court”.
He warned “every country in the world” was obligated to take back its own citizens.
More to come