Abbott: Australia to strengthen citizenship laws to combat terror

“Those could include restricting the ability to leave, or return to, Australia… access to consular services overseas, as well as access to welfare payments,” said Abbott.

“We will also clamp down on those organizations that incite religious or racial hatred.”

He added that a new security czar will soon be appointed in the face of rising terror threats in the country.

Earlier this month, two men were charged with allegedly plotting knife attacks for caliphate in Australia following a major counter-terrorism operation in Sydney.

The National Terrorist Threat level was lifted to “high” last September, where it remains. It is the first time since the national alert system was introduced in 2003, and indicates authorities see a terrorist attack as “likely.”

CNN