CANBERRA, Australia, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard will introduce tough new anti-terrorism laws that include surveillance of suspects and detaining them without charge.
Howard told reporters Thursday he was not creating a police state, but said these were "unusual and threatening" times.
The proposals include extending the number of years immigrants must live in Australia before applying for citizenship from two years to three, the BBC reported.
A new offense of inciting violence against the community, or Australian troops abroad, also would be created.
"We are very conscious that ... a balance has to be struck between the liberty of the subject and the right of the community to be protected," Howard said.
"We are, unfortunately, living in an era and time when unusual but necessary measures are needed to cope with an unusual and threatening situation," he said.
The new legislation would be discussed by state government leaders Sept. 27, Howard said.
Critics say Howard's support for the U.S.-led war on terror has put Australia at risk of an attack on home soil. The conservative leader has been a staunch supporter of the U.S.-led campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
