Terrorism supporters to lose dole payments, says Tony Abbott
August 16, 2014 - 3:39PM Tony Abbott says extremists living in Australia will lose their benefits. Photo: Ryan Osland Australian terrorism supporters will have their unemployment benefits and other welfare payments cut off. In a significant crackdown on homegrown extremists, Prime Minister Tony Abbott says new legislation would allow the Department of Human Services to cancel benefits to those assessed as a serious threat to national security. "These new measures will ensure Australian taxpayers are not financing people known to be members of, or working with, terrorist organisations," he said in a statement on Saturday. Mr Abbott said under current arrangements, welfare payments can only be suspended or cancelled for those who don't meet social security eligibility rules. That includes failing to fulfil participation, residence or portability qualifications. The government has already cut benefits to those abroad, but not extremists in Australia who continue to meet elig