The PJCIS has recommended the Australian Federal Police be allowed to retain a range of counter-terrorism powers to protect Australians.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 14 October 2021

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has recommended the Australian Federal Police be allowed to retain a range of counter-terrorism powers to protect Australians. The PJCIS has today tabled its review into counter-terrorism powers held by the AFP, recommending that the following powers be extended to 7 December 2025: stop, search and seizure powers under subsections 3UK(1), (2) and (3) of the Crimes Act 1914 control order regime under division 104 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 preventative detention order regime in division 105 of the Criminal Code Act 1995. The Committee made 19 recommendations to improve clarity, oversight and interoperability of counter-terrorism laws, as well as amendments to the Intelligence Services Act 2001 to allow the Committee to undertake further reviews of the powers prior to their extended sunset period. The Intelligence and Security Committee Chair, Senator James Paterson said the extension of these counter-terrorism powers will help protect Australians from the evolving threat of terrorism. ‘The committee has assessed the use and effectiveness of these powers and has found they will continue to provide law enforcement the tools they need to counter the threat of terrorism. Eighteen potential or imminent terrorist attacks have been disrupted by law enforcement and security agencies since 2014 thanks to powers just like these,’ Senator Paterson said. Further information on the inquiry as well as a copy of the report can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media enquiries Chair, Senator James Paterson via Deborah Seccombe on 0451 255 891 or deborah.seccombe@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 Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page. 

A parliamentary inquiry into the counter-terrorism powers held by the Australian Federal Police will hear evidence from the Law Council of Australia and the Australian Human Rights Commission at a hearing this week.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 24 September 2020

A parliamentary inquiry into the counter-terrorism powers held by the Australian Federal Police will hear evidence from the Law Council of Australia and the Australian Human Rights Commission at a hearing this week. Chair of the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, Mr Andrew Hastie MP, says the hearing will cover the operation, effectiveness and implications of existing counter-terrorism powers held by the AFP. ‘It is vital that law enforcement is provided with appropriate powers in order to protect Australians’. In addition to the legal witnesses, the hearing will also include witnesses from the Department of Home Affairs, the Attorney General’s Department, and the Australian Federal Police. Further information on the inquiry and submissions made can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Public Hearing Details Date: Friday 25 September 2020 Time: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra Due to COVID-19 restrictions, teleconference and videoconference facilities will be used to connect witnesses to Committee Members. Audio of the hearings will be streamed at aph.gov.au/live. Media enquiries Chair, Mr Andrew Hastie MP (Canning, WA) 08 9534 8044 (Electorate office) 02 6277 4223 (Parliament House) For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2360 pjcis@aph.gov.au

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review into the operation, effectiveness and implications of two sets of terrorism powers relating to the Australian Federal Police.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 18 June 2020

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review into the operation, effectiveness and implications of: Division 3A of Part IAA of the Crimes Act 1914 (which provides for police powers in relation to terrorism) and any other provision of the Crimes Act 1914 as it relates to that Division; and, Divisions 104 and 105 of the Criminal Code (which provide for control orders and preventative detention orders in relation to terrorism) and any other provision of the Criminal Code Act 1995 as it relates to those Divisions. The Committee has commenced these reviews as one inquiry. The Committee requests submissions to the inquiry by Friday 28 August 2020. Prospective submitters are advised that any submission to the Committee’s inquiry must be prepared solely for the inquiry and should not be published prior to being accepted by the Committee. Further information about making a submission to a committee inquiry can be found at the following link. Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media inquiries: Chair, Mr Andrew Hastie MP (Canning, WA) 08 9534 8044 (Electorate office) 02 6277 4223 (Parliament House) For background information: Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2360 pjcis@aph.gov.au