Australia to detain terrorists indefinitely

SYDNEY (AFP) — High-risk terror offenders in Australia may now be kept in jail even after serving their sentences, under legislation passed Thursday that strengthens laws to tackle the threat posed by extremists.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull flagged the move in July, prompted by the frequency and severity of attacks around the world.

It will allow Attorney-General George Brandis to apply for an extension 12 months before a sentence expires.

For this to happen, the Supreme Court would need to be satisfied that the offender poses an unacceptable risk of committing a serious terrorism offense if released into the community.