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Articles on National security

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Tony Abbott leaves the partyroom on September 14, having lost the Liberal leadership and prime ministership to Malcolm Turnbull. AAP/Sam Mooy

2015, the year that was: Politics + Society

2015 started as it finished, with terrorist atrocities, intractable conflicts and political upheavals that toppled several leaders, including Australia’s prime minister, Tony Abbott.
State leaders endorsed a plan at COAG last week that would see some terrorists jailed indefinitely. AAP/David Moir

The government still needs to demonstrate that indefinite detention for terrorists is necessary

Detaining persons convicted of terrorist offences for lengthy periods after they have served their time could risk radicalising a section of the community who see the measure as unjust.
Most Australians are unlikely to be able to describe the doctrine of the separation of powers, but they’re quick to assert their liberties under the rubric of a ‘fair go’. AAP/Richard Milnes

Gillian Triggs: How the ‘fair go’ became the last bulwark for Australia’s freedoms

The government’s uncontested assessment of national interest and security often trumps the rule of domestic and international law, as well as Australia’s obligations under human rights treaties.
The government’s citizenship-stripping bill passed on the final parliamentary sitting day of 2015. AAP/Dan Peled

New laws make loss of citizenship a counter-terrorism tool

If we are content to sanction, disapprove and respond to sole nationals committing terror-related offences without revoking their citizenship, why is revocation necessary for dual nationals?
Australia’s grand mufti, Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at a national day of unity event in Canberra. Mick Tsikas/AAP

Terrorism debate can’t be stifled, must be managed

The divide within government ranks over handling the terrorism issue has been highlighted by the tough words at the weekend from Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan, ASIO head Duncan Lewis and Attorney-General George Brandis announce a new national terrorism threat advisory system. Lukas Coch/AAP

New terror threat advisory system but no substantive change in the threat

The new five-level National Terrorism Threat Advisory System has come into operation. It places the current threat of an attack in Australia as “probable”.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced that a new terrorism threat advisory system, which had been recommended by ASIO and been subject of extensive consultation, was now coming into operation. Lukas Coch/AAP

Turnbull warns of increased threat of terrorism in the region after recent attacks

Malcolm Turnbull has asked Australian law enforcement agencies to test their responses to a mass casualty attack in the wake of the killings in Paris and elsewhere.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull meets with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur. EPA/Ahmad Yusni

Turnbull resists pressure to put Dutton on national security committee

Federal cabinet’s national security committee meets on Monday, as Malcolm Turnbull continues to resist pressure from the Liberal right to make Peter Dutton a permanent member of it.
Malcolm Turnbull’s trivialisation of the communications bungle over the 99-year lease of the Port of Darwin to a Chinese-owned company may not go down well with the US. EPA/Mast Irham

Grattan on Friday: Turnbull jokes about communications failure over Darwin port, but no laughing matter to US

One can only speculate how the discussion would have gone if Tony Abbott had survived as prime minister long enough to meet Barack Obama during this week’s summit circuit.
Treasurer Scott Morrison has banned the Chinese acquisition of the vast S. Kidman and Co property holdings in its current form on the basis of the land’s size and security issues. Flickr: Ladymaggic

Morrison blocks Chinese acquisition of historic Kidman cattle empire

Treasurer Scott Morrison has blocked Chinese attempts to purchase the vast Kidman empire - which amounts to 1.3% of Australia’s total land area.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton hopes that pressure from his political allies will see him resume a seat on cabinet’s national security committee. Lukas Coch/AAP

Cabinet’s national security committee – an uber group for ministers

The push to try to get Immigration Minister Peter Dutton onto Cabinet’s national security committee (NSC) can be seen, apart from anything else, as something of a power play by the Liberal right.
The task of identifying anyone fleeing a war zone, as many Syrians are, can be very challenging. Reuters/Alkis Konstantinidis

What do the Paris attacks mean for Australia’s Syrian refugee intake?

It beggars belief that there are people who have attached themselves to groups seeking to escape this barbarity. Their objectives are the very antithesis of those seeking sanctuary.

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