Australia will expand its involvement in airstrikes against the Islamic State militant group in Syria and Iraq by amending its laws to match its coalition partners, according to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Currently, RAAF F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets can only attack when a limited definition of combatant is established as a target.  PM Turnbull says that will be expanded beyond active militants to include people supporting armed fighters and will become consistent with international norms.  This will give Aussie pilots the same legal standing as their coalition partners when conducting airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria.

"This legal risk posed a major challenge to the effectiveness of our operations.  It meant that the Australian Defense Force's targeting base in Iraq and Syria was restricted, and we could not operate as freely as our coalition partners," the Prime Minister told Parliament.

To combat domestic terrorism, legislation will be introduced next week to indefinitely detain people convicted of terrorism-related charges if it felt they posed a danger to society upon their released.  He also flagged stronger surveillance of potential Islamic State supporters in Australia.

But while Mr. Turnbull maintains that Islamic State is the most pressing security issue facing the country, he also warned against a rise in right-wing extremism.  Last month, authorities arrested and charged an anti-immigration campaigner with preparing a terrorist attack in the city of Melbourne.  And some lawmakers are calling for a ban on Muslim immigration, and some are trying to relax hate speech prohibitions.

"We cannot be effective if we are creating division, whether by fomenting distrust within the Muslim community or inciting fear of Muslims in broader society," he said on Thursday.  "Division begets division.  It makes violence more likely, not less," he added.