The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has recommended the Parliament pass with amendments a new Extended Supervision Order (ESO) scheme and interim supervision orders to better protect Australians from high-risk terrorist offenders (HRTO) who are due to be released into community after serving their custodial sentence.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 16 September 2021

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has recommended the Parliament pass with amendments a new Extended Supervision Order (ESO) scheme and interim supervision orders to better protect Australians from high-risk terrorist offenders (HRTO) who are due to be released into community after serving their custodial sentence. In its Advisory report on the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2020 tabled on Thursday, the PJCIS made 11 recommendations in relation to the Bill, including recommendations to improve clarity and guidance on the operation of the scheme. The new ESO scheme would address the current interoperability between control orders and continuing detention orders by enabling a State or Territory Supreme Court to impose any conditions that are reasonably necessary, and reasonably appropriate and adapted, to protect the community from the risk of a serious terrorism offence. The Bill has been introduced to broaden the tools available to address the risk posed by convicted terrorist offenders and strengthen Australia’s counter-terrorism framework. There are currently a number of convicted terrorists due to be released into the Australian community between now and the expiry of their custodial sentences in 2025. Chair of the Committee, Senator James Paterson, said: “The Committee recognises that many high-risk terrorist offenders who are due to be released from prison may still pose an unacceptable risk to the community. “The new Extended Supervision Order scheme and interim supervision orders will give law enforcement the tools to manage and monitor the ongoing threat that a terrorist offender may pose to the community following their release from jail,” Senator Paterson said. Australia’s Terrorism Threat Level was raised to ‘Probable’ in September 2014. Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and increased access to online material has increased the reach of extremist propaganda. “An ESO scheme will enable law enforcement to tailor orders proportionate to the threat of each offender and should be swiftly passed by the parliament,” 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 inquiries: 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.

The Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee will hold a public hearing tomorrow as part of its Review of the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2020.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 12 November 2020

The Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee will hold a public hearing tomorrow as part of its review of the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2020. The Committee will hear from the Law Council of Australia, the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Australian Federal Police, the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Home Affairs. Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Public Hearing Details Date: Friday, 13 November 2020 Time: 10.30 am – 3:30 pm (AESDT) Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra A program for the hearing can be found here. Due to ongoing COVID-19 requirements, teleconference and video conference facilities will be used to connect witnesses to Committee Members. The hearings will be broadcast live 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 Please contact the Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2360 pjcis@aph.gov.au

The Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2020 will be the subject of a new review from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 1 October 2020

The Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2020 will be the subject of a new review from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. The bill introduces an extended supervision order scheme and interim supervision orders for high-risk terrorist offenders where a State or Territory Supreme Court may impose any conditions (prohibitions, restrictions or obligations) that it is satisfied are reasonably necessary, and reasonably appropriate and adapted, for the purpose of protecting the community from the unacceptable risk of a serious terrorism offence. The bill contains measures recommended by the Intelligence and Security Committee during the 45th Parliament, as well as incorporating recommendations from the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor. The Committee requests submissions to the inquiry by Thursday 29 October 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: Please contact the Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 2360 pjcis@aph.gov.au