Under the proposed laws, “an individual could be ordered to leave an airport, or to not take a specified flight, for a period of up to 24 hours”, LCA said, and police will have the power to “direct a person to move on from an airport or prevent them taking a flight if reasonably suspected to have committed, be committing or intending to commit an offence” punishable by at least 12 months imprisonment, if this is deemed necessary to safeguard aviation security.

It also expands the existing power that constables have to “direct a person to produce evidence of their identity in specified circumstances”.

LCA has welcomed recommendations to the bill from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security this week, noting that the proposed recommendations – clearly defined how and under what circumstances the expanded police powers at airports could be applied – were in line with the amendments suggested by LCA at improving safeguards for the community and ensuring police powers are not misused.

“These recommendations would temper potential misuse of police powers and enhance transparency and accountability. They would also allow for expedited judicial review of move-on directions, and ensure the right to peaceful assembly and protest,” said LCA president Arthur Moses.

“Under the recommendations, police would be required to record the number of occasions on which an identity information direction is issued, and this would have to be made publicly available on an annual basis. This would also apply to move-on directions.”

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“The powers police can exercise at airports must always be balanced with the rights of ordinary citizens to travel freely. The use of police discretion will be key and must be scrutinised.”

LCA called on the Australian Parliament to “promptly adopt these recommendations”.