The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security presented its Advisory Report on the Counter-Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 19 October 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today presented its Advisory Report on the Counter-Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023. The Bill would extend the operation of various Australian Federal Police powers relating to terrorism for a further three years to December 2026. This includes the stop, search and seizure powers; control orders; and preventative detention orders. The Bill would also amend some conditions for the use of these powers. The Bill would also extend the operation of Commonwealth secrecy offences for 12 months to December 2024, pending a Government review of secrecy provisions. The Committee recommended the inclusion of further amendments to the Bill proposed by Government, which would introduce a post-entry warrant regime, and following implementation of that recommendation, that the Bill be passed by Parliament. PJCIS Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP said “The Committee supports measures that provide law enforcement the tools they need to protect the community from the threat of terrorism, and looks forward to considering these powers further in its review of Division 105A of the Criminal Code.” Further information on the inquiry as well as a copy of the report can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Chair, Mr Peter Khalil MP, via Lachlan Hinds 0455 999 677 lachlan.t.hinds@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2360 pjcis@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security is holding a public hearing on 16 October for its review of the Counter-Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.

Media release issue date: Friday, 13 October 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) is holding a public hearing on 16 October for its review of the Counter-Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023. The Committee will hear from government and non-government representatives to discuss the Bill’s proposed amendments to the operation of the Australian Federal Police’s counter-terrorism powers under the Crimes Act 1914 and the Criminal Code Act 1995. Those powers relate to: authority to stop, question and search persons and seize items in Commonwealth places, including in ‘prescribed security zones’ (Crimes Act, Part 1AA, Division 3A); the control order regime (Criminal Code Division 104); and the preventative detention order regime (Criminal Code Division 105). PJCIS Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP said, “This Bill implements a number of recommendations from the Committee’s review of police powers in 2021, and the Committee looks forward to hearing a range of views to inform its consideration of the Counter-Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.” A program for the hearing can be found here and the hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Further information on the review can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Public Hearing Details 16 October 2023 8.00 am – 10.30 am ADST Committee Room 2S3, Parliament House, Canberra Media inquiries Chair, Mr Peter Khalil MP, via Lachlan Hinds 0455 999 677 lachlan.t.hinds@aph.gov.au For background information Please contact the Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2360 pjcis@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Counter-Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 7 September 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Counter-Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023. The Bill was introduced into Parliament by the Attorney-General on 10 August 2023, and he then referred it to the PJCIS for review and report. The Bill would extend the operation of Australian Federal Police (AFP) powers relating to terrorism under the Crimes Act 1914 (Crimes Act) and the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Criminal Code) for a further three years, to December 2026. Those powers relate to: authority to stop, question and search persons and seize items in Commonwealth places, including in ‘prescribed security zones’ (Crimes Act, Part 1AA, Division 3A); the control order regime (Criminal Code Division 104); and the preventative detention order regime (Criminal Code Division 105). The Bill would amend some conditions and requirements for the use of these powers, in response to the recommendations of a review of police powers undertaken by the PJCIS and presented to Parliament in October 2021. The Bill would also extend the operation of Commonwealth secrecy offences under the Criminal Code for 12 months to December 2024, to allow the Government to complete its current review of Commonwealth secrecy provisions and consider any necessary reforms. Mr Peter Khalil MP, Chair of the PJCIS, said “The Australian Federal Police holds significant powers to protect the community against terrorism. This review will allow the Committee to consider the Government’s response to its previous recommendations to strengthen safeguards on those powers; and to ensure that the powers remain necessary and appropriate.” Submissions to the inquiry are invited by Friday 6 October 2023. Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media inquiries: Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP, via Lachlan Hinds 0455 999 677 lachlan.t.hinds@aph.gov.au For background information:  Committee Secretariat, Parliamentary Joint Committee on intelligence and Security (02) 6277 2360 pjcis@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.