[JURIST] The Australian Government and Prime Minister John Howard [official website] committed Sunday to passing new anti-terror laws before Christmas after weekend meetings to discuss a revised draft [JURIST report] of a proposed anti-terror bill. Howard gave premiers until Monday to respond to the revision after the initial Friday deadline passed, and hopes to introduce the final draft to the Australian parliament this week. Though the full details of the final draft have not been disclosed, the main terms include tough control orders and preventative detention, as well as a provision to give authorities the right to shoot-to-kill suspected terrorists [JURIST report]. The controversial bill has sparked free speech demonstrations outside Howard’s home, but Howard insists the legislation will not curb free speech. Reuters has more.