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Terror amendment rushed into parliament

Police could arrest suspects under new terror laws as early as Thursday after Australia's spy agencies received specific information about a potential terrorist threat against the nation.

Prime Minister John Howard on Wednesday rushed an amendment to existing terrorism offences into parliament after the national security committee was briefed on a potential threat.

But Mr Howard would not go into detail, saying it could put any future police or ASIO operations at risk.

"The government has received specific intelligence and police information this week which gives cause for serious concern about a potential terrorist threat," Mr Howard said.

"We have seen material. It is a cause of concern.

"We have been given advice that if this amendment is enacted as soon as possible, the capacity of the authorities to respond will be strengthened.

"And I am satisfied on what I have been told, and the government and the national security ministers in cabinet are satisfied, that that is the case, but I do not intend and cannot and will not go into any of the operational details."

Australia's general terrorism threat level will remain unchanged at "medium" despite the information.

The amendment means people can be charged even if they are only considering carrying out a terrorist act, but have not yet decided when or where.

For example, a person or group of people may be considering killing people or detonating a bomb, but have not yet decided which one to do, nor the date, time or method.

All state premiers and the federal opposition agreed to support the changes, which passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday and are expected to pass a special sitting of the Senate on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Howard said he understood people would be frustrated that he could not reveal details of the potential threat, including which city might be targeted.

"If you go into a lot of detail and you wreck the operation, the Australian public will not forgive you," he said.

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, who was extensively briefed on the threat on Tuesday night and again on Wednesday morning, said Labor backed the laws.

"All I say is this - if it is particularly urgent then we ought to stand ready to pass it immediately," Mr Beazley said.

But terror expert Aldo Borgu warned the public could become cynical if no action was taken immediately after the laws passed.

"If they don't actually have arrests or raids or anything like that, it will be viewed even more cynically," he said.

"Once this legislation is passed there will be a high expectation that there will be some action soon after."

Australian Greens senator Bob Brown has already questioned the timing of the amendments.

"One has a right to be suspicious, while the prime minister did not make this announcement yesterday because it was Melbourne Cup Day, he's making it today when he's releasing the industrial relations legislation to take (it) off the front page," Senator Brown said.

Independent Peter Andren also held concerns, claiming the changes were designed simply to lock in support for the government's other controversial anti-terror plans.

All states and territories except the ACT on Wednesday gave the green light to Mr Howard's anti-terrorism reforms hammered out at the Council of Australian Governments, after he agreed to better civil liberties protections.

The laws allow police to detain terror suspects for up to 14 days, place controls on suspects for up to 12 months and expand the definition of sedition.

The premiers were seeking greater judicial oversight of control and detention orders, a removal of shoot-to-kill provisions, tightening of the laws to avoid a High Court challenge, and a public interest monitor to oversee federal police operating in Queensland.

The laws are likely to be introduced to parliament next week and passed by Mr Howard's deadline of Christmas.

It is understood the government has also agreed to a Senate inquiry into the bill, which is expected to be voted on on Thursday.

A spokeswoman for federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said technical aspects of the anti-terrorism package were being worked through and the government hoped to introduce the laws to parliament at the earliest opportunity.