The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security today commenced a review of the relisting of Islamic State, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province as terrorist organisations under Division 102 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
The Australian Government first listed Islamic State in 2005, while Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have been listed under different names since 2014. The three organisations have been re-listed as terrorist organisations for a further three-year period commencing on 1 July 2023.
The relisting triggers the ongoing application of a number of offences under the Criminal Code which relate to membership of, support for, or association with the organisations.
All three organisations are religiously motivated violent extremist groups which pursue an extreme interpretation of Sunni Islam. Of these groups, Islamic State (IS) has the largest global footprint, and since it was last listed by the Australian Government IS has continued to undertake terrorist attacks in Syria, Iran, Israel, Iraq and Austria.
Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province both operate primarily in Nigeria, and have reputations for adherence to an extremist ideology that promotes sectarian violence. Since they were last listed both groups have undertaken attacks against civilians and government officials.
Under s 102.1A of the Criminal Code, the Committee may review listings of terrorist organisations and report its findings to each House of the Parliament within the 15 sitting day disallowance period for the regulations.
Members of the public are welcome to make submissions to this review. Submissions are requested by Friday 11 August 2023.
Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.
Media inquiries
Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP, via Lachlan Hinds
0455 999 677
lachlan.t.hinds@aph.gov.au
For background information
Committee Secretariat, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security
(02) 6277 2360
pjcis@aph.gov.au
For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.
