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 te1rnrist 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. The Committee encourages concise submissions. Correspondence addressing individuals’ security clearance issues will not be accepted as submissions to this inquiry.
Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.
