New Zealand to fast track counter-terrorism bill following supermarket terrorist attack

Wellington (New Zealand), September 4: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Saturday said the parliament will fast track the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill following Friday's terrorist attack that has left seven people injured.
Addressing the media on Saturday, Ardern said the parliament will pass the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill by the end of the month.
The opposition National Party has supported the use of urgency to pass the bill.
The Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill was introduced earlier this year as part of the response to the Christchurch mosque attacks consisting of a new definition for what constitutes a "terrorist act."
Friday's terrorist attack at a western Auckland supermarket has left seven people injured including three people who are still in critical condition.
The offender, who attacked fellow shoppers with a knife, was shot dead by police at the scene. He is a Sri Lankan national who moved to New Zealand in 2011 and was placed on a terror watchlist in 2016.
Legislation had prevented the person from being imprisoned but he was under heavy police surveillance when the attack was carried out.
The name of the offender cannot legally be released yet.
New Zealand Police Commissioner Andrew Coster believed the person acted alone and said cases like Friday's terrorist attack were very unusual.
The country's national terrorism threat level remained at medium.
New Zealand's biggest city Auckland is currently at COVID-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown, where only essential activities such as buying grocery food at the supermarket were allowed.
Source : Xinhua