Howard foreshadows tougher counter-terror laws

John Howard

CANBERRA - Australian Prime Minister John Howard is expected to announce tougher counter-terrorism laws within days, giving authorities greater power to monitor extremists.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty confirmed this week there are about 60 Islamic extremists in Australia.

Mr Howard last night said a tightening of Australia's terror laws was imminent.

"As far as future changes are concerned, we are examining what, if any, changes should be made to the law," he told ABC television.

"And I had a detailed briefing from senior people in my department about that this afternoon and I'll be having something more to say about it very shortly."

Mr Howard also has condemned comments made by the leader of a fundamentalist Islamic group in Melbourne -- Abdul Nacer Benbrika, also known as Abu Bakr.

Mr Benbrika has told the ABC that Islam doesn't tolerate other religions and it's okay for Australian Muslims to fight coalition troops in Iraq.

It comes as Opposition Leader Kim Beazley warned an attack on the nation's power supply is possible.

In an address to the Sydney Institute last night, Mr Beazley said the government was failing in its duty of safeguarding national security.

- AAP