The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) will hold its first public hearing for its inquiry into the nature and drivers of radicalisation in Australia on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
The eSafety Commissioner, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Department of Home Affairs will speak at the hearing and provide the PJCIS with an overview of the contemporary radicalisation environment and the Government’s response.
The inquiry is examining the nature and drivers of radicalisation as they relate to politically motivated violence, terrorism and violent extremism in Australia. It will consider pathways to radicalisation, the role of technology and encrypted communications, the use of algorithms in amplifying extremist content, and the radicalisation and grooming of minors, including through gaming and gaming-adjacent platforms.
The Committee will also examine the obligations of digital platforms, gaming and messaging providers in detecting, reporting and responding to extremist content.
Committee Chair, Senator Raff Ciccone, said the hearing provides an important opportunity to better understand the evolving nature of radicalisation and its implications for Australia's security.
“Radicalisation is a complex and evolving challenge, particularly as online environments and new technologies increasingly shape how people communicate, access information and form communities.
“This first hearing will provide the Committee with a solid base of evidence, including the current threat environment, the role of online platforms and technologies, and the measures in place to prevent and respond to radicalisation.
“I want to extend an invitation to people who have been personally affected by radicalisation. We recognise that these experiences can be deeply difficult and that coming forward may not be easy. If you feel able to share your experience, please consider contacting the secretariat, who can facilitate you giving evidence in a manner that protects your identity.
“The Committee looks forward to hearing a broad range of perspectives as the inquiry progresses.”
Public hearing:
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
10.00 am – 1.00 pm AEDT
Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra, and via videoconference
Program:
|
Time |
Witness |
|
10.00 am |
eSafety Commissioner |
|
11.00 am |
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and Australian Federal Police |
|
12.00 pm |
Department of Home Affairs |
|
1.00 pm |
Close |
The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.
The Committee invites submissions to the inquiry by close of business Friday, 30 October 2026. Submissions should be prepared solely for this inquiry and should not be published prior to being accepted by the Committee.
Further information about the inquiry and how to make a submission is available on the Committee’s website: aph.gov.au/pjcis
Media enquiries
Office of Senator Raff Ciccone, Chair of the PJCIS
Contact: Giulio Di Giorgio, 0422 622 760
[email protected]
Background information
Committee Secretariat, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security
02 6277 2360
[email protected]
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 Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.
