The Albanese Government has today passed vital legislation to strengthen Australia's counter terrorism framework, sending a clear message to foreign state entities that any actions seeking to harm Australia and Australians will not be tolerated.
The Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Act 2025 creates a new framework in the Criminal Code Act 1995 to allow the Government to respond to threats posed by state-sponsored terrorism.
The Bill will allow foreign state entities to be listed as state sponsors of terrorism where they have engaged in, or otherwise supported or advocated for, the doing of terrorist acts targeted at Australia.
It will help ensure that foreign states that seek to fuel division, create fear and erode social cohesion in the Australian community will be held to account.
The Bill also establishes a comprehensive suite of criminal offences, directly targeting state sponsors of terrorism, their proxies, and those who would seek to support these entities and their activities.
Importantly, the legislation ensures that law enforcement and intelligence agencies have the powers required to combat threats and attacks of this nature.
Parliament's support for this legislation is a testimony to the condemnation of hatred, violence and division targeting our community, and clear demonstration that any attack against Australia will not be tolerated.
Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General, Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
"The first priority of our Government is the safety and protection of all Australians, which is why we have acted decisively in passing this vital legislation through the Parliament.
"This legislation is a warning that foreign states and their supporters who seek to fuel division, create fear, erode social cohesion and perpetrate violence in the Australian community will be held to account.
"These changes will make it more difficult, more risky, and more costly for malicious foreign actors to seek to cause Australia and our community harm."
