Inquiry into the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Bill 2004

Inquiry into the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Bill 2004

On 31 March 2004, the Senate referred the provisions of the above Bill to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 11 May 2004.

The Anti-Terrorism Bill 2004 seeks to improve Australia's counter-terrorism legal framework by making amendments to:
  • Part 1C of the Crimes Act 1914 to extend the fixed investigation period applying to federal terrorism offences to a maximum of 20 hours if judicially authorised subject to all existing procedural safeguards in Part 1C, and to permit authorities to reasonably suspend or delay questioning of a person arrested for a terrorism offence to make inquiries in overseas locations that are in different time zones to obtain information relevant to that terrorism investigation;
  • The Crimes (Foreign Incursions and Recruitment) Act 1978 to enhance the foreign incursions offences, particularly in situations where terrorist organisations are operating as part of the armed forces of a state;
  • The Criminal Code Act 1995 to strengthen the counter-terrorism legislation relating to membership of terrorist organisations and the offence of providing training to or receiving training from a terrorist organisation; and
  • The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to improve restrictions on any commercial exploitation by a person who has committed foreign indictable offences.

Terms of Reference

Submissions

General Notes to Assist in the Preparation of Submissions

Lodging Submissions

Submissions are called for by 19 April 2004. Submissions become Committee documents and are only made public after a decision by the Committee. Unauthorised release of submissions is not covered by parliamentary privilege. Further assistance can be obtained by phoning the secretariat on (02) 6277 3560.

The Committee encourages the lodgement of submissions in electronic form to legcon.sen@aph.gov.au. Please ensure that a postal address and phone number is enclosed with all email submissions.

Submissions may also be faxed to (02) 6277 5794.

Submissions

Public Hearings

Friday 30 April 2004 Sydney Program (Word 32KB)

Report - Tabled 11 May 2004

For further information

    The Secretariat
    Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee
    Room S1.61, Parliament House
    Canberra ACT 2600
    AUSTRALIA

    Telephone: (02) 6277 3560
    Fax: (02) 6277 5794