The amendments in the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Declared Areas) Bill 2024 (Declared Areas Bill) would ensure the continuation of the declared areas offence in section 119.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995. The offence, which is due to sunset on 7 September 2024, is an element of the Australian Government’s efforts to stop Australians becoming foreign fighters.

The Bill would extend the offence for a further three years, to 7 September 2027, and would also provide that section 119.3—the provision under which the Minister for Foreign Affairs can declare an area for the purpose of the offence in section 119.2—also ceases to have effect on 7 September 2027.

The Bill would also amend the Intelligence Services Act 2001 to remove paragraph 29(1)(bbaa) which provides for the Committee to review sections 119.2 and 119.3 before 7 January 2024, as this is now obsolete. The Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which is currently with the Committee for inquiry and report, proposes to empower the Committee to review sunsetting provisions on its own motion in future.

Submissions are invited by 29 April 2024. Further information about making a submission to a parliamentary committee is available here.