Australians heading overseas to fight with terrorist organisations will be arrested with tough new counter-terrorism laws passing parliament.

The Abbott government’s tough new foreign fighters laws, which prohibit travel to terrorist hot spots without a valid excuse and make it illegal to “promote” or “encourage” terrorism, passed the House of Representatives with Labor’s support.

· Shorten airs terror law worries
· Govt fast-tracks data retention

The legislation, which was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, passed the House of Representatives at lunchtime.

The new laws, which are designed to stop Australians fighting in overseas conflicts, make it easier for the Government to cancel passports and allow authorities to declare some conflicts as “no go” zones for Australian travellers.

The Government is now planning to introduce new legislation that would allow closer cooperation between Australian spies and the Defence Force.

It originally planned to make the change through an amendment to the Foreign Fighters Bill, but now intends to introduce the change through separate legislation.

The Government’s plan, which was obtained by the West Australian newspaper and seen by the ABC, would allow Australian spies to pass on specific information to the Defence Force.

The draft document states the information could be used to “support” military operations that have a “direct effect” on Australians.

The Government is playing down suggestions the new provisions would allow the military to target – and kill – Australian fighters.

The new legislation will be referred to a parliamentary committee for review.