Bill
Criminal Code Amendment (Keeping Australia Safe) Bill 2026
lapsed, as at 2026-04-01.
- Sponsor
- Jonathon Duniam
- Portfolio
- Not recorded
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2026-03-03
- second reading — 2026-03-03
- second reading — 2026-03-11
- second reading — 2026-04-01
- second reading — 2026-04-01
Divisions
- The majority voted against a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/?id=2026-03-03.4.2) 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](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/hume/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](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/?id=2026-03-03.4.2): > *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 Aff — 2026-03-03, House of Representatives: negative, ayes 39, noes 93
- The majority voted against a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?id=2026-04-01.4.2) to agree with the main idea of the bill. In parliamentary jargon, they voted to read the bill for a second time. This means it will not be considered further. ### What is the bill's main idea? The bill was introduced by Tasmanian Senator [Jonathon Duniam](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/tasmania/jonathon_duniam) (Liberal). According to [its homepage](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/s1488), the bill: > *Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to: create an offence relating to the unauthorised organisation or facilitation of the entry into Australia of certain persons who have engaged in terrorism-related conduct or who are, or have been, members of a terrorist organisation; and extend the operation of the declared areas offence for a further 3 years to 7 September 2030.* — 2026-04-01, Senate: negative, ayes 26, noes 34
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2026-03-03.
The bill would create a new criminal offence for arranging or helping certain people linked to terrorism to enter Australia.
A person could be charged if they organise or facilitate entry of someone who has committed a terrorism offence, intends to commit one, or is a member of a terrorist organisation, unless the foreign affairs and home affairs ministers give written permission beforehand.
The bill would also push back the expiry of the declared areas offence from 7 September 2027 to 7 September 2030.
- Creates a new offence for organising or facilitating entry of terrorism-linked persons into Australia.
- Requires prior written permission from both the foreign affairs minister and the home affairs minister for the offence not to apply.
- Extends the declared areas regime's sunset date by three years to 7 September 2030.
People who organise or facilitate entry into Australia of persons involved in terrorism-related conduct, and Commonwealth authorities.
Sources
em
billhome