House debates

Monday, 30 August 2021

Bills

Charter of the United Nations Amendment Bill 2021; Second Reading

12:21 pm

Photo of David GillespieDavid Gillespie (Lyne, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

In summing up, I thank those who have spoken on the Charter of the United Nations Amendment Bill 2021 for their contributions to this debate. The Australian government is committed to preventing and suppressing terrorist acts to support international peace and security.

One of the most effective ways to combat terrorism is to deny terrorists and terrorist entities the ability to access the funds necessary for the commission of terrorist acts, which Australia does through the Charter of the United Nations Act 1945. This bill is not about altering the existing regulatory framework set out by that act. Put simply, it is about transparency and putting beyond doubt any question of the enforceability of validly made listings. The amendments in this bill change the way counterterrorism financial sanction listings are communicated to the public by ensuring that counterterrorism listings, once made, are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation as legislative instruments. These amendments ensure that part 4 of the Charter of the United Nations Act, the counterterrorism legislative framework, is able to operate as intended by parliament to prevent and respond to the financing of terrorism. The government looks forward to implementing this legislation.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

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