CANBERRA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Australian soldiers taking part in coalition operations against Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East have been given a 'license to kill', after the government passed last-minute legislation in the Senate on Thursday evening.
As the government scrambled to get key legislation passed before both Houses began the Christmas break, the Criminal Code Amendment (War Crimes) Bill 2016, which gives Australian Defence Force personnel power to use lethal force against terrorists outside of direct combat, breezed through the Senate with bipartisan support.
In a joint statement released late on Thursday, Australia's Prime Minister and Defence Minister said the laws would mean Australia's Defence Force personnel would be protected from criminal charges if they engage terrorists outside of "direct hostilities".
"The (legislation) aligns Australia's domestic law with international humanitarian law and provides legal certainty for Defence personnel fighting terrorist groups in combat zones," the statement said.
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