(Sydney Morning Herald) Federal Parliament will need to sit in a locked-down Canberra over the next fortnight, with the government in a race against time to extend control orders on people considered a terrorist risk that will otherwise expire early next month.
Eight individuals are currently subject to control orders under the nation’s anti-terrorism laws, which will expire on September 7 unless the House of Representatives convenes before then to extend the sunset clause.
Control orders are used on people the Australian Federal Police believes may commit a terrorist attack. They heavily restrict the movement, communications and associations of suspects without the need for criminal prosecution.
The Senate passed legislation last Thursday extending the control order regime to December 7, 2022, which did not leave enough time for the House of Representatives to wave it through before the end of the sitting week.
