The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security will hold a public hearing for its review of the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Declared Areas) Bill 2024 (Declared Areas Bill) on Monday, 20 May 2024.
Counter-terrorism provisions within the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Criminal Code) include the ability for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to 'declare' an area, making it a potential offence, punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment, for an Australian citizen, resident or visa-holder to enter or remain in the area. The declared areas offence is presently due to sunset in September 2024.
The Committee has invited Government and non-government representatives to its hearing to discuss the Declared Areas Bill, which primarily aims to continue the declared areas offence and related provisions in the Criminal Code for a further three years.
Committee Chair, Mr Peter Khalil MP, said 'The Committee has received mixed evidence regarding the declared areas offence. We look forward to hearing from a range of Government and non-Government witnesses to inform our review and report to Parliament.'
