Australia’s first national terrorism laws passed
The Security Legislation Amendment (Terrorism) Bill 2002 [No. 2] was a government bill from the Attorney-General's portfolio. Parliament describes it as "Part of a package of four bills". It amended the Criminal Code Act 1995 to "insert new offences in relation to treason and terrorism related activities, all of which carry a penalty of life imprisonment". It also provided for "ministerial declaration of proscribed organisations" and created offences for membership of, or links with, such organisations.
The bill was introduced and passed in the House of Representatives on 13 March 2002. In the Senate it was debated from 20 June and amended in Committee of the Whole on 24–26 June. Its third reading passed on 27 June 2002. The House agreed to the Senate amendments the same day, and it received Royal Assent on 5 July 2002 as Act No. 65 of 2002.
The Attorney-General's Department's national security website states: "In 2002, a range of terrorist organisation offences were inserted into the Criminal Code Act 1995". Under this framework, Australia listed al-Qa'ida (21 October 2002) and Jemaah Islamiyah (27 October 2002) as terrorist organisations.
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