Children as young as 14 can be radicalised online and Australian spies should be able to interrogate them, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says.
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Mr Dutton has introduced legislation that would enable ASIO to question 14-year-olds and allow agents to track suspects without a warrant.
"There are 14-year-old kids being indoctrinated online, in our own countries, and listening to crazy thoughts from people overseas, or they are indoctrinated here in Australia, and they pose a significant threat," he said.
"We do have them engaged in potentially trying to cause a terrorist event or being involved in fundraising or support of a terrorist organisation."
NSW Police accountant Curtis Cheng was the victim of Australia's youngest known terrorist when he was shot and killed by radicalised 15-year-old Farhad Khalil Mohammad Jabar in 2015.
Mr Dutton said the second aspect of the legislation, giving ASIO warrantless tracking powers, reflected powers already in place for state and federal police.
The Law Council of Australia is very concerned with some aspects of the bill.
President Pauline Wright says the proposal to reduce the age of minors who may be subjected to questions from 16 to 14 requires detailed scrutiny, as does allowing ASIO to internally authorise surveillance.
"This is not a bill to be hurried through," Ms Wright said.
Australian Associated Press
