IS offshoot banned

Jail awaits Aussies caught helping Philippines- based jihadis

AUSTRALIAN jihadis who try to help set up an Islamic State offshoot in the Philippines will face 25 years behind bars.

The Turnbull Government has officially listed “Islamic State East Asia” as a terrorist organisation amid growing fears about its expansion on Australia’s doorstep.

The bloody insurgency in Marawi has already claimed the lives of more than 750 people. Another 360,000 people have been displaced by terrorists trying to establish a new caliphate as they are increasingly shut down by Western forces in Syria and Iraq.

Attorney- General George Brandis said the listing under the Criminal Code was made after high- level discussions with Australia’s security agencies.

“Under the Criminal Code, it is an offence to be a member of, participate in, train with, or provide support to, a terrorist organisation. These offences attract penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment,” Senator Brandis said.

“( It) demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to ensuring Australia has strong laws to protect all Australians, both here and overseas.”

Australia has already provided a P3 Orion surveillance aircraft to support intelligencegathering in the region and recently offered further support to the Philippines.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said last week that Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was open to accepting counter- terror assistance, which could involve Australian military personnel training and advising local forces.

“This is not about troops on the ground, the Philippines would not accept that and it hasn’t been offered,” she said.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the insurgency was “a real threat” to Australia.

“We do not want Marawi to become the Raqqa of South-East Asia,” he said.

“We do not want ISIL establishing a stronghold in South- East Asia. That is vitally in our interests to see that insurgency defeated.”

Defence Minister Marise Payne travelled to the Philippines yesterday for meetings with government ministers about bringing stability to the southern Philippines.

“The spread of Daesh is a threat to regional stability and we are committed to supporting the Philippines in its fight against terrorism,” she said.

The Government has now listed 24 terrorist organisations under the Criminal Code.