Criminalising Re-Entry Assistance for Terrorist Sympathisers the Criminal Code Amendment (Keeping Australia Safe) Bill 2026

The majority voted against a motion to suspend the usual procedural rules - known as standing orders - in order to introduce a bill called the Criminalising Re-entry Assistance for Terrorist Sympathisers The Criminal Code Amendment (Keeping Australia Safe) Bill 2026. This motion was introduced by Hume MP Angus Taylor (Liberal).

Motion text

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring immediately:

(1) the Member for Hume presenting a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code Act 1995, and for related purposes;

(2) debate on the second reading of the bill proceeding immediately for a period of no longer than one hour;

(3) any questions required to complete passage of the bill then being put without delay; and

(4) any variation to this arrangement being made only on a motion moved by the Manager of Opposition Business.

What is the purpose of this bill?

Mr Taylor explained that:

The proposed legislation that we bring before the parliament today has three clear objectives. First, it will end the freelancing of non-government third parties who seek to bring dangerous individuals into the country. It amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 and creates a new offence that would make it a crime to assist the entry into Australia of an individual who has been in a terrorist hot spot, who has links to a terrorist organisation or who has committed terror related offences. They are crucial pre-conditions. In this, the bill seeks to achieve a second objective, which is restoring ministerial accountability. Through our proposed legislation, any non-governmental third party that seeks to provide repatriation assistance must obtain written prior permission, and both the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Foreign Affairs must approve any non-government third-party repatriation assistance for individuals affiliated with a terrorist organisation. In other words, they must be accountable for the decision. That's how ministerial accountability should work. Such authorisations will ensure that ministers are responsible for significant national security decisions. We want the government to take back control over who comes into our country, instead of outsourcing control to third parties and turning a blind eye. The third objective is technical. Under section 1192 of the existing Criminal Code, it's a criminal offence to enter or remain in a declared terrorist area. This bill seeks to extend the sunset date of this provision from 7 September 2027 through to 7 September 2030.