The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security presented its Advisory Report on the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 15 November 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today presented its Advisory Report on the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023. The Bill would amend the Criminal Code Act 1995 to: create offences for publicly displaying prohibited Nazi or Islamic State symbols, and trading in items bearing these symbols create offences for using a carriage service to deal with violent extremist material strengthen the offence of advocating terrorism, and remove the three-year sunsetting of terrorist organisation listings, so that listings would operate until a decision is made to proactively de-list an organisation. The Committee made a number of recommendations to amend the Bill including: removal of the specific reference to the Islamic State flag as a prohibited hate symbol, instead prohibiting symbols associated with all proscribed terrorist organisations; and delaying the entry into force of offences for the trading of items bearing a prohibited symbol for a period of 6-12 months, so that collectors have a window in which to dispose of part or all of their collections if they wish. The Committee concluded that, subject to the amendments it has recommended, the Bill should be passed by the Parliament. PJCIS Chair, Mr Peter Khalil MP, said: “The Committee supports measures that prohibit the public display and trade of symbols that represent ideologies of hatred, violence and racism; which cause significant harm to many Australians. These ideologies are incompatible with Australia’s multicultural and democratic society.” 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 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) is holding a public hearing on 1 September for its review of the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 31 August 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) is holding a public hearing on 1 September for its review of the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023. Public hearing 1 September 2023 9.00 am – 4.00 pm AEST Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra; and via videoconference The Committee will hear from a range of government and non-government representatives to discuss the bill’s proposed prohibition of displaying and trading in Nazi and Islamic State symbols, as well as other measures in the Bill to strengthen terrorism offences. The Committee’s website has a full program for the hearing, and the hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Mr Peter Khalil MP, Chair of the PJCIS, said “The Committee looks forward to hearing a range of views to inform its consideration of the Hate Symbols Bill. We will be particularly interested in hearing about possible unintended consequences and how these might be addressed to ensure that the Bill appropriately deals with violent extremist material.” On 14 June 2023, the Attorney-General wrote to the Committee referring the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023 for the Committee’s review. The Bill would amend the Criminal Code Act 1995 to: create offences for publicly displaying prohibited Nazi or Islamic State symbols, and trading in items bearing these symbols; create offences for using a carriage service to deal with violent extremist material; strengthen the offence of advocating terrorism; and remove the sunsetting of terrorist organisation listings. 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.

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

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 21 June 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023. On 14 June 2023 the Attorney-General wrote to the Committee referring the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023 for the Committee’s review. The Bill would amend the Criminal Code Act 1995 to: create offences for publicly displaying prohibited Nazi or Islamic State symbols, and trading in items bearing these symbols create offences for using a carriage service to deal with violent extremist material strengthen the offence of advocating terrorism in section 80.2C, and remove the sunsetting requirement for terrorist organisation listings, so that listings would operate until a decision is made to proactively de-list an organisation. Mr Peter Khalil MP, Chair of the PJCIS said “Reviewing legislation is an important aspect of the PJCIS’ role and the Committee will look at the Hate Symbols Bill to ensure that it appropriately deals with violent extremist material, which is used to incite violence and instil fear in the community.” Submissions are invited by Friday 21 July 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 Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.