Foreign Fighters Act passed
The Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Act 2014 (Act No. 116 of 2014) amended 22 Acts to respond to Australians engaging in, and returning from, conflicts in foreign states. Parliament’s bill summary says it provided additional powers for security agencies, strengthened border security measures, allowed cancellation of welfare payments for persons involved in terrorism, and implemented recommendations from the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor and the COAG Review of Counter-Terrorism Legislation. It also repealed the Crimes (Foreign Incursions and Recruitment) Act 1978.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on 24 September 2014, shortly after the threat-level rise and Operation Appleby. It finally passed both Houses on 30 October 2014 and received Royal Assent on 3 November 2014. The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee reported on 17 October 2014.
The Act's authoritative text is on the Federal Register of Legislation. It was a central legislative response to the foreign-fighter threat behind the September 2014 rise to High.
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