ABSTRACT
Statements made by the Australian and UK Governments in responding to the foreign terrorist fighters phenomenon identify the ultimate goal as being to eliminate terrorism in its entirety. The critical lesson for governments is the need to think laterally about how to combat the threat of terrorism, rather than continually reworking existing — and demonstrably unsuccessful — strategies. In addressing the foreign terrorist fighters phenomenon, the response of the Australian and UK Parliaments has typically been to enact new, or add to existing, legislation. Far from undermining security, recalibrating official responses such that the enactment of legislation is the exception, rather than the rule, is likely to result in a legislative framework that is more appropriately adapted to the goals it is trying to pursue. There can be no denying that the foreign terrorist fighters phenomenon represents a significant threat to global stability, national security, and community safety.
