The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has tabled its report for its review into the operation, effectiveness and implications of the Counter-Terrorism (Temporary Exclusion Orders) Act 2019.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 10 May 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has today tabled its report for its review into the operation, effectiveness and implications of the Counter-Terrorism (Temporary Exclusion Orders) Act 2019. The Counter-Terrorism (Temporary Exclusion Orders) Act 2019 established the TEO Regime, with: ‘temporary exclusion orders’ (TEOs) to prevent the return of individuals to Australia without a return permit; and ‘return permits’ to enable pre-entry and post-entry conditions to be imposed on returning individuals. The Committee found that the TEO Regime is operating as expected and is operationally effective, but the Committee made six recommendations to ensure that the TEO Regime will continue to work as needed to protect Australia’s national security. The recommendations include: that the Australian Government consider the decisions of the High Court in current relevant cases related to the counter-terrorism legislative framework and any associated impacts on the Temporary Exclusion Order regime; that the Act be amended so that an assessment made by ASIO under paragraph 10(2)(b) of the Act, or the grounds upon which such an assessment was made, must be provided to the Minister. in the event that personal service is not possible because it is not safe or practicable, the Committee recommends that the Act be amended so that return permits can be served via alternative means (including email or text message). Chair of the Committee Mr Peter Khalil MP said “the TEO Regime strikes the right balance between the right of return for Australian citizens and national security, particularly the safety of the Australian community. The amendments recommended by the Committee will ensure the TEO Regime remains fit for purpose for the future.” Further information on the inquiry as well as a copy of the report can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP, via Lachlan Hinds 0455 999 677 lachlan.t.hinds@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat, Parliamentary Joint Committee on intelligence and Security (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 this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) is holding a public hearing for its review into the operation, effectiveness and implications of the Counter-Terrorism (Temporary Exclusion Orders) Act 2019. The Committee will hear from the Law Council, Australian Human Rights Commission, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security as well as Home Affairs, Border Force, ASIO and the AFP.

Media release issue date: Friday, 14 October 2022

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) is holding a public hearing for its review into the operation, effectiveness and implications of the Counter-Terrorism (Temporary Exclusion Orders) Act 2019. The Committee will hear from the Law Council, Australian Human Rights Commission, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security as well as Home Affairs, Border Force, ASIO and the AFP. Public hearing 17 October 2022 10.00 am – 2.30 pm Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra The Committee’s website has a full program for the hearing Committee Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP said that “Hearing from ASIO and the AFP in particular will allow the Committee to hear exactly how effective the use of TEOs has been from those who are involved with them in an operational context.” The Temporary Exclusion Order scheme was introduced in 2019 to provide greater control over Australians returning from overseas who are of counter-terrorism interest including foreign fighters. A TEO may be issued where an individual returns to Australia without a return permit, which enables conditions to be imposed on an individual pre-entry and post-entry, and where one of the following conditions are satisfied: The Minister suspects on reasonable grounds that making the order would address a terrorist threat; or The individual has been assessed by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation to be a direct or indirect risk to security for reasons related to politically motivated violence. Teleconference and video conference facilities may be used to connect witnesses to Committee Members. The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP, via Lachlan Hinds 0455 999 677 lachlan.t.hinds@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat, Parliamentary Joint Committee on intelligence and Security (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 Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review into the operation, effectiveness and implications of the Counter-Terrorism (Temporary Exclusion Orders) Act 2019.

Media release issue date: Friday, 6 August 2021

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review into the operation, effectiveness and implications of the Counter-Terrorism (Temporary Exclusion Orders) Act 2019. The Temporary Exclusion Order scheme was introduced in 2019 to provide greater control over Australians returning from overseas who are of counter-terrorism interest including foreign fighters. A TEO may be issued where an individual returns to Australia without a return permit, which enables conditions to be imposed on an individual pre-entry and post-entry, and where one of the following conditions are satisfied: The Minister suspects on reasonable grounds that making the order would address a terrorist threat; or The individual has been assessed by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation to be a direct or indirect risk to security for reasons related to politically motivated violence. The Committee requests submissions to the inquiry by Monday 29 November 2021. 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, Senator James Paterson via Deborah Seccombe, 0451 255 891 or deborah.seccombe@aph.gov.au For background information:  Committee Secretariat, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, (02) 6277 2360 or 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.