Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I just want to make some brief remarks about the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025 before the Senate today, in which we look at establishing a new framework for designating a foreign entity as a state sponsor of terrorism. Under this bill, an entity may be listed if the minister responsible for the Australian Federal Police is satisfied that a foreign state entity and/or one of its members has engaged in, prepared, planned, assisted in or fostered a terrorist act targeting Australia or has advocated for such an act. Before any regulation is made to list an entity, the AFP minister must first obtain the agreement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and arrange for the Leader of the Opposition to be briefed. These requirements ensure that proper foreign policy coordination and bipartisan oversight are maintained.

The bill also introduces new offences to criminalise terrorist activity carried out by listed state entities or their proxies, as well as conduct by persons who support such activities. Recognising the potential consequences of criminalising state entities, the bill includes defences and exemptions to protect lawful engagement for legitimate purposes such as humanitarian assistance. The legislation comes in response to ASIO's assessment that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, had directed at least two attacks in Australia. These attacks are utterly unacceptable, and the government is taking decisive action far stronger than any other government had previously done. While the previous coalition government did not impose sanctions on the IRGC, our government has taken on board the advice of our security agencies and the report that was conducted by the Senate committee only about 18 months ago and has targeted at least 200 sanctions on Iran and the IRGC. We've also acted on the United Nations and strengthened domestic laws.

Faced with evidence of attacks on Australian soil, we're also going further, and that is formalising the listing of the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. Through this bill, the government is once again doing what responsible governments must do—protecting Australians and defending our national sovereignty. We are closing the gap that allows malicious foreign actors to operate in this country, and we are doing so with clear purpose, firm resolve and proper oversight. These amendments before the Senate strengthen Australia's counterterrorism framework and ensure that our agencies have the tools that they need to act decisively against those that seek to do us harm. This is about keeping Australians safe—the foremost duty of any government.

While I'm on my feet, I'd like to acknowledge and thank the former deputy chair of the PJCIS, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, and former member and also a former deputy chair, Mr Hastie, who recently resigned from the committee. I want to acknowledge both gentlemen who served on this committee with distinction for many years, demonstrating their unwavering diligence, integrity and genuine commitment to bipartisanship for many, many years, particularly Mr Wallace. During his time on the committee as deputy chair, he assisted me in contributing to rigorous oversight, helped shape some key recommendations over a number of reports and played an important role in strengthening Australia's national security framework. Through his approach and dedication to the committee's work, we've been able to achieve some really great results. I want to wish him all the success—not too much—as the new shadow attorney-general.