Australia's parliament passed legislation on Thursday that can strip dual nationals of their Australian citizenship if found guilty of terrorism offences. Removal of citizenship is also applicable for individuals convicted to have fought with banned groups abroad.

The series of laws passed come at a time when there is heightened concern about deporting recognised militants. Attorney-General George Brandis explained that the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill was amended to reflect "the new age of terrorism."

"The legislation will strip Australian citizenship from dual citizens who are involved in terrorist conduct overseas or convicted of a terrorism offence in Australia," said the attorney-general.

"It will also ensure terrorists who are dual nationals are prevented from returning to Australia and dual nationals who engage in terrorism within Australia can be removed where possible."

Brandis emphasised that the legislative changes were inevitable considering what is happening across the globe. There is also the growing terror threat putting Australia and other countries at risk. For instance, there has been brewing concerns in Canberra following the influx of fighters to Iraq and Syria in favour of extremist groups like the Islamic State. According to reports, there are around 110 Australians in the region fighting. There have been around 45 casualties so far.

Furthermore, the attorney-general stressed the new laws apply in extremely limited situations. They will not render people stateless immediately. The policies apply to people convicted of terror acts and similar activities such as financing, training and recruiting. The law also imposes jail sentence of at least six years. A person also automatically loses citizenship if they are found part of a declared terrorist group.

"Dual nationals who engage in terrorism are betraying their allegiance to this country and do not deserve to be Australian citizens," explained Brandis. However, there is also brewing concern in the Senate that those who have been deported may be at increased risk of committing acts of terror overseas. Brandis assured that that these people will be put "into the hands of the government of the other nation of which they are dual citizens."

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