David Cameron unveils new anti-terror proposals

CANBERRA, Australia, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister David Cameron discussed efforts to counter terrorist activities at home and abroad during an address to Australia's Parliament on Friday.

Cameron is in Australia to attend this weekend's G-20 Summit in Brisbane.

He applauded Australia's counter-terrorism initiatives and encouraged Parliament to also consider a "new pressing challenge" the Islamic State poses in its internet propaganda.

"There is a role for government in that, we must not allow the internet to be ungoverned space but there is a role for the internet companies too," Cameron said in advocating for the removal of IS material from the web.

Cameron then unveiled plans to expand anti-terror measures in Britain that include new "temporary exclusion orders."

"... new powers for the police at ports to seize passports to stop suspects traveling, and stop British nationals returning to the U.K. unless they do so on our terms, new rules that prevent airlines who don't comply with no-fly lists or security screening measures from landing in the U.K."

Under current law, British Home Secretary Theresa May has the sole authority to revoke passports. Cameron's proposal would create a more flexible system that would allow police and border officials to seize the passports of suspected terrorists, including those belonging to minors, for a period of 30 days. Most British foreign fighters are believed to be between the ages of 16 and 21. Suspects whose passports have been revoked would be allowed a magistrate's review after a two week period.

On the basis of "reasonable suspicion of involvement in terrorist activity," passports could be revoked and names placed on a "no fly list" to prevent the return of suspected terrorists to the U.K. Should a suspected terrorist repeatedly attempt to enter the country, Cameron said that person would be subject to one of the following: prosecution, restricted movement, or forced participation in a de-radicalization program.

Cameron also emphasized that "as well as dealing with the consequences of this threat, we also have to address its root cause."

"It's not poverty... It's not exclusion from the mainstream... No, the root cause of the challenge we face is the extremist narrative. So we must confront this extremism in all its forms. We must ban extremist preachers from our countries. We must root out extremism from our schools, universities and prisons."