The bomb squad at the scene of a terror stand-off in Brighton last year. Credit:Justin McManus

New counter-terrorism laws that enable the government to lock up children as young as 14 were enshrined on Monday.

The laws allow police to detain terror suspects without a court order or a warrant for up to four days. Children aged 14 or above may be held for up to 36 hours.

Suspects, including those who have never been convicted of a terrorism offence, will now be unlikely to be granted bail or parole. Meanwhile, police powers to use lethal force have been strengthened.

The Age exclusively revealed the plan to for the extraordinary powers last year.