Licence to hunt terrorists

People will be sent text messages about terrorist attacks, similar to natural disasters, under a plan to get people to safety. The ID data register is part of a suite of measures agreed to by Malcolm Turnbull and state premiers yesterday at a special counter-terrorism meeting of the Council of Australian Governments.

PEOPLE will be sent text messages about terrorist attacks, similar to natural disasters, under a plan to get people to safety.

But new facial recognition technology is likely to remain incomplete by the start of the Commonwealth Games next year, despite pleas from Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to fast track it.

The technology would give authorities almost real-time access to data from IDs – including drivers licences, passports and visas – to quickly identify terror suspects.

Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the Queensland section of the register would be ready by April, but warned the rest could depend on how quickly the other states act.

“Certainly, we think we can get that done by then for Queensland information,” he said.

“If the other states can legislate quickly then we can move to get this done as soon as possible.”

Under the current system, it can take up to seven days for authorities to access other states’ data from IDs.

The register is part of a suite of measures agreed to by Malcolm Turnbull and state premiers yesterday at a special counter-terrorism meeting of the Council of Australian Governments.

The phone-based national emergency alert warning system – which is mostly used for cyclones, storms, floods and bushfires – will now be used for any national security incident.

Mr Turnbull said expanding the alert system was a good example of the nation’s leaders working together to “keep us safe”.

Ms Palaszczuk said she wanted the new system, which may require new laws to be passed in the Queensland Parliament, rolled out before the Commonwealth Games in April.

“We’re going to do everything we possibly can. We might have to put in a quick amendment into the Queensland Parliament,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“But it’s very important that these measures are adopted and implemented in time for the Commonwealth Games.”

A tough new detention regimen will also be brought in with authorities able to hold suspected terrorists for 14 days, without being charged, while evidence is gathered against them.

This will bring all states in line with New South Wales.

New criminal offences will also be enacted to deal with people who possess instructional terrorist material or make terrorist hoaxes.