Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression. For decades, the Iranian regime has been a destabilising force, including through its brutal acts of political violence and intimidation, and its use of proxies and cut-outs to engage in acts of terror in foreign countries. I remind the House that the Iranian regime directed at least two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil in 2024. These attacks were intended to drive fear into the Australian Jewish community, to undermine our security and to tear at our social cohesion. These were attacks on all Australians, and the government responded decisively.

Following advice from the relevant agencies, the Albanese government moved quickly to introduce and pass the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025 to enable the listing of a foreign state entity as a state sponsor of terrorism for the very first time. The listing of a foreign state entity enlivens a range of criminal offences, including for providing funding to, recruiting to or being a member of a listed entity. They provide both a strong deterrent and appropriate punishment for supporting an appalling organisation. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was listed by this government on 28 November 2025, and as a result criminal offences are now in effect.

I want to be clear: if evidence surfaces that any person engages in conduct that breaches the Criminal Code, they should expect the full force of the law. This government has full confidence in our national security and law enforcement agencies. They are the best in the world, and this government will always take advice from our agencies on how to strengthen our laws and how to implement our laws in the best ways possible. We will always work cooperatively to ensure that appropriate penalties are available for individuals or entities who would seek to sow division or do Australians harm.

See this speech in context