The NSW government will extend anti-terrorism laws, despite a senior police officer declaring there is no specific threat.
Changes affecting the detention of terrorism suspects, and the execution of searches and seizures, were announced today by Premier Kristina Keneally after recommendations from the NSW Ombudsman.
Standing laws allow a person reasonably suspected of being involved with a terrorist attack to be held for 14 days under a preventive detention order.
Changes to those orders will mean that detainees must be made aware of their right to discuss the conduct of officers with the ombudsman, an accredited chaplain or the Police Integrity Commission.
“It’s important to recognise here that no person has been held on a preventative detention order in NSW and while we hope it will never be necessary … we do want the laws to remain in place for the protection of NSW residents,” Ms Keneally told reporters in Sydney.
The continuing legislation, which will be extended for three years, also allows for searches of premises without the knowledge or authority of occupants.
“The powers, that have been rarely used, have been vital in police operations,” Ms Keneally said of the covert searches.
“Now these will only be able to be issued if there is a reasonable suspicion that a terrorist act has been, is being, or is likely to be committed.”
In 2005 and 2006, three covert search warrants were executed in NSW, resulting in the conviction of five men on terrorism-related offences in 2009, Ms Keneally said.
“The extension of these laws is about striking the right balance between community safety and between civil liberties,” she said.
“These laws, although thankfully have been rarely used … do provide an important tool for our NSW Police Force to counter terrorism and to work to keep our communities safe.”
NSW Police assistant commissioner Peter Dein said Australia’s terrorism alert level remained at “medium”.
“That simply means that a terrorism attack may well occur and that’s why we need to be vigilant and have the resources that we have,” said Mr Dein, the force’s counter-terrorism and public order commander.
“There’s no specific threat to NSW at the moment that would concern anybody.”
The Terrorism (Police Powers) Act was introduced in NSW in 2002 after the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York.
“What is important for us as a community is that we do remain vigilant to the threat of terrorism. We should never become complacent,” Ms Keneally said.
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