Australia: NSW police to get shoot to kill powers against terrorists

(The Australian) NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will introduce legislation as soon as possible giving police “shoot-to-kill” powers as part of efforts to minimise the risk of public harm in terrorist situations.

Responding to recommendations released two weeks ago by the State Coroner into the Lindt Café siege hostage, Ms Berejiklian said today that her government accepted police needed clear powers including freedom to use of “lethal force” to keep the community safe from terrorism.

“As we have seen as recently as this week in Melbourne and on the weekend with the cowardly, evil acts in London, we need to be ever-vigilant to the emerging and evolving risks of terrorism,” Ms Berejiklian said.

The Premier said her government would accept all 45 recommendations made by coroner Michael Barnes, and would introduce legislation in the next sitting week of state parliament, which begins on June 20, to clarify police powers during possible terrorist attacks.

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