AUSTRALIA
For an effective counter-terrorism regime, it is vital that our laws target not only terrorist acts, but also the organisations that plan, finance and carry them out. In 2002, a range of new terrorist organisation offences was enacted enabling the Government to deal with organisations involved in terrorism. Click here to view the Security Legislation Amendment (Terrorism) Act 2002.
Under the law, there are two ways for an organisation to be identified as a 'terrorist organisation'. Either an organisation may be found to be such an organisation by a court as part of the prosecution for a terrorist offence, or it may be specified in Regulations, known as 'listing'. For a listing to be effective, the processes set out in the legislation must be followed.
Before an organisation can be listed, the Attorney-General must be satisfied on reasonable grounds that the organisation is directly or indirectly engaged in, preparing, planning, assisting in or fostering the doing of a terrorist act.
The listing of an organisation ceases to have effect two years after its commencement, or if the Minister ceases to be satisfied that the organisation is directly or indirectly engaged in, preparing, planning, assisting in or fostering the doing of a terrorist act, whichever occurs first.
When a court has determined, or by regulation it is determined, that an organisation is a 'terrorist organisation', it is an offence to:
- direct the activities of the organisation;
- recruit persons to the organisation;
- receive training from or provide training to the organisation;
- receive funds from or make available funds to the organisation;
- provide support or resources to the organisation.
There are 19 organisations now officially listed. They are:
Abu Sayyaf Group - Listed 14 November 2002 and re-listed 7 November 2004
Al Qa'ida - Listed 21 October 2002 and re-listed 1 September 2004
Al-Zarqawi – Listed 26 February 2005
Ansar Al-Islam - Listed 27 March 2003 and re-listed 23 March 2005
Armed Islamic Group - Listed 14 November 2002 and re-listed 7 November 2004
Asbat al-Ansar - Listed 11 April 2003 and re-listed 11 April 2005
Egyptian Islamic Jihad - Listed 11 April 2003 and re-listed 11 April 2005
Hamas's Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades Listed in Australia 9 November 2003 and re-listed 5 June 2005
Hizballah External Security Organisation - Listed 5 June 2003 and re-listed 5 June 2005
Islamic Army of Aden - Listed 11 April 2003 and re-listed 11 April 2005
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan - Listed 11 April 2003 and re-listed 11 April 2005
Jaish-i-Mohammed - Listed 11 April 2003 and re-listed 11 April 2005
Jamiat ul-Ansar (formerly known as Harakat Ul-Mujahideen) - Listed 14 November 2002 and re-listed 7 November 2004
Jemaah Islamiyah - Listed 27 October 2002 and re-listed 1 September 2004
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) - Listed 15 December 2005
Lashkar I Jhangvi - Listed 1 1 April 2003 and re-listed 11 April 2005
Lashkar-e-Tayyiba Lis ted 9 November 2003 and re-listed 5 June 2005
Palestinian Islamic Jihad - Listed 3 May 2004 and re-listed 5 June 2005
Salafist Group for Call and Combat - Listed 14 November 2002 and re-listed 7 November 2004
COUNTER TERRORISM VIDEO