Terrorism (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2002 (NSW)
An Act to refer certain matters relating to terrorist acts to the Parliament of the Commonwealth for the purposes of section 51 (xxxvii) of the Constitution of the Commonwealth.
This Act is the Terrorism (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2002.
The purpose of this Act is to refer certain matters relating to terrorist acts to the Parliament of the Commonwealth for the purposes of section 51 (xxxvii) of the Constitution of the Commonwealth.
This Act commences on a day to be appointed by proclamation.
In this Act:
The following matters are referred to the Parliament of the Commonwealth:
(a) the matters to which the referred provisions relate, but only to the extent of the making of laws with respect to those matters by including the referred provisions in the Commonwealth Criminal Code in the terms, or substantially in the terms, of the text set out in Schedule 1, and
(b) the matter of terrorist acts, and actions relating to terrorist acts, but only to the extent of the making of laws with respect to that matter by making express amendments of the terrorism legislation or the criminal responsibility legislation.
The reference of a matter under subsection (1) has effect only:
(a) if and to the extent that the matter is not included in the legislative powers of the Parliament of the Commonwealth (otherwise than by a reference for the purposes of section 51 (xxxvii) of the Constitution of the Commonwealth), and
(b) if and to the extent that the matter is included in the legislative powers of the Parliament of the State.
The operation of each paragraph of subsection (1) is not affected by the other paragraph.
For the avoidance of doubt, it is the intention of the Parliament of the State that:
(a) the terrorism legislation or the criminal responsibility legislation may be expressly amended, or have its operation otherwise affected, at any time after the commencement of this Act by provisions of Commonwealth Acts the operation of which is based on legislative powers that the Parliament of the Commonwealth has apart from under the references, and
(b) the terrorism legislation or the criminal responsibility legislation may have its operation affected, otherwise than by express amendment, at any time after the commencement of this Act by provisions of instruments authorised by that legislation.
Despite any other provision of this section, the references have effect for a period:
(a) beginning on the day on which this Act commences, and
(b) ending on the day fixed, pursuant to section 5, as the day on which the references under this Act are to terminate,
but no longer.
The Governor may, at any time, by proclamation published on the NSW legislation website, fix a day as the day on which the references under this Act are to terminate.
The day fixed under subsection (1) must be no earlier than the first day after the end of the period of 3 months beginning with the day on which the proclamation is published under that subsection.
The Governor may, by proclamation published on the NSW legislation website, revoke a proclamation published under subsection (1), in which case the revoked proclamation is taken (for the purposes of section 4) never to have been published.
A revoking proclamation has effect only if published before the day fixed under subsection (1).
The revocation of a proclamation published under subsection (1) does not prevent publication of a further proclamation under that subsection.
(Section 3)
In this Part:
(a) property and assets of every kind, whether tangible or intangible, movable or immovable, however acquired; and
(b) legal documents or instruments in any form, including electronic or digital, evidencing title to, or interest in, such property or assets, including, but not limited to, bank credits, travellers cheques, bank cheques, money orders, shares, securities, bonds, debt instruments, drafts and letters of credit.
(a) is based outside Australia; or
(b) consists of persons who are not Australian citizens; or
(c) is part of a larger organisation.
(a) the action falls within subsection (2) and does not fall within subsection (3); and
(b) the action is done or the threat is made with the intention of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause; and
(c) the action is done or the threat is made with the intention of:
(i) coercing, or influencing by intimidation, the government of the Commonwealth or a State, Territory or foreign country, or of part of a State, Territory or foreign country; or
(ii) intimidating the public or a section of the public.
Action falls within this subsection if it:
(a) causes serious harm that is physical harm to a person; or
(b) causes serious damage to property; or
(c) causes a person’s death; or
(d) endangers a person’s life, other than the life of the person taking the action; or
(e) creates a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public; or
(f) seriously interferes with, seriously disrupts, or destroys, an electronic system including, but not limited to:
(i) an information system; or
(ii) a telecommunications system; or
(iii) a financial system; or
(iv) a system used for the delivery of essential government services; or
(v) a system used for, or by, an essential public utility; or
(vi) a system used for, or by, a transport system.
Action falls within this subsection if it:
(a) is advocacy, protest, dissent or industrial action; and
(b) is not intended:
(i) to cause serious harm that is physical harm to a person; or
(ii) to cause a person’s death; or
(iii) to endanger the life of a person, other than the person taking the action; or
(iv) to create a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public.
In this Division:
(a) a reference to any person or property is a reference to any person or property wherever situated, within or outside Australia; and
(b) a reference to the public includes a reference to the public of a country other than Australia.
A State is a
(a) if and to the extent that the matters are not otherwise included in the legislative powers of the Parliament of the Commonwealth (otherwise than by a reference under paragraph 51 (xxxvii) of the Constitution); and
(b) if and to the extent that the matters are included in the legislative powers of the Parliament of the State.
This subsection has effect subject to subsection (5).
This subsection covers the matters to which the referred provisions relate to the extent of making laws with respect to those matters by including the referred provisions in this Code.
This subsection covers the matter of terrorist acts, and actions relating to terrorist acts, to the extent of the making of laws with respect to that matter by making express amendment of this Part or of Chapter 2.
A State is a referring State even if a law of the State provides that the reference to the Commonwealth Parliament of either or both of the matters covered by subsections (2) and (3) is to terminate in particular circumstances.
A State ceases to be a referring State if a reference by the State of either or both of the matters covered by subsections (2) and (3) terminates.
In this section:
The operation of this Part in a referring State is based on:
(a) the legislative powers that the Commonwealth Parliament has under section 51 of the Constitution (other than paragraph 51 (xxxvii)); and
(b) the legislative powers that the Commonwealth Parliament has in respect of matters to which this Part relates because those matters are referred to it by the Parliament of the referring State under paragraph 51 (xxxvii) of the Constitution.
The State reference fully supplements the Commonwealth Parliament’s other powers by referring the matters to the Commonwealth Parliament to the extent to which they are not otherwise included in the legislative powers of the Commonwealth Parliament.
The operation of this Part in a State that is not a referring State is based on the legislative powers that the Commonwealth Parliament has under section 51 of the Constitution (other than paragraph 51 (xxxvii)).
Subsection 100.4 (5) identifies particular powers that are being relied on.
The operation of this Part in the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory or an external Territory is based on:
(a) the legislative powers that the Commonwealth Parliament has under section 122 of the Constitution to make laws for the government of that Territory; and
(b) the legislative powers that the Commonwealth Parliament has under section 51 of the Constitution (other than paragraph 51 (xxxvii)).
Despite subsection 22 (3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, this Part as applying in those Territories is a law of the Commonwealth.
The operation of this Part outside Australia and the external Territories is based on:
(a) the legislative powers that the Commonwealth Parliament has under paragraph 51 (xxix) of the Constitution; and
(b) the other legislative powers that the Commonwealth Parliament has under section 51 of the Constitution (other than paragraph 51 (xxxvii)).
Subject to subsection (4), this Part applies to the following conduct:
(a) all actions or threats of action that constitute terrorist acts (no matter where the action occurs, the threat is made or the action, if carried out, would occur);
(b) all actions (
preliminary acts ) that relate to terrorist acts but do not themselves constitute terrorist acts (no matter where the preliminary acts occur and no matter where the terrorist acts to which they relate occur or would occur).
See the following provisions:
(a) subsection 101.1 (2);
(b) subsection 101.2 (4);
(c) subsection 101.4 (4);
(d) subsection 101.5 (4);
(e) subsection 101.6 (3);
(f) section 102.9.
Subsections (4) and (5) apply to conduct if the conduct is itself a terrorist act and:
(a) the terrorist act consists of an action and the action occurs in a State that is not a referring State; or
(b) the terrorist act consists of a threat of action and the threat is made in a State that is not a referring State.
Subsections (4) and (5) also apply to conduct if the conduct is a preliminary act that occurs in a State that is not a referring State and:
(a) the terrorist act to which the preliminary act relates consists of an action and the action occurs, or would occur, in a State that is not a referring State; or
(b) the terrorist act to which the preliminary act relates consists of a threat of action and the threat is made, or would be made, in a State that is not a referring State.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Part, this Part applies to the conduct only to the extent to which the Parliament has power to legislate in relation to:
(a) if the conduct is itself a terrorist act—the action or threat of action that constitutes the terrorist act; or
(b) if the conduct is a preliminary act—the action or threat of action that constitutes the terrorist act to which the preliminary act relates.
Without limiting the generality of subsection (4), this Part applies to the action or threat of action if:
(a) the action affects, or if carried out would affect, the interests of:
(i) the Commonwealth; or
(ii) an authority of the Commonwealth; or
(iii) a constitutional corporation; or
(b) the threat is made to:
(i) the Commonwealth; or
(ii) an authority of the Commonwealth; or
(iii) a constitutional corporation; or
(c) the action is carried out by, or the threat is made by, a constitutional corporation; or
(d) the action takes place, or if carried out would take place, in a Commonwealth place; or
(e) the threat is made in a Commonwealth place; or
(f) the action involves, or if carried out would involve, the use of a postal service or other like service; or
(g) the threat is made using a postal or other like service; or
(h) the action involves, or if carried out would involve, the use of an electronic communication; or
(i) the threat is made using an electronic communication; or
(j) the action disrupts, or if carried out would disrupt, trade or commerce:
(i) between Australia and places outside Australia; or
(ii) among the States; or
(iii) within a Territory, between a State and a Territory or between 2 Territories; or
(k) the action disrupts, or if carried out would disrupt:
(i) banking (other than State banking not extending beyond the limits of the State concerned); or
(ii) insurance (other than State insurance not extending beyond the limits of the State concerned); or
(l) the action is, or if carried out would be, an action in relation to which the Commonwealth is obliged to create an offence under international law; or
(m) the threat is one in relation to which the Commonwealth is obliged to create an offence under international law.
To avoid doubt, subsections (2) and (3) apply to a State that is not a referring State at a particular time even if no State is a referring State at that time.
The Acts Interpretation Act 1901, as in force on the day on which Schedule 1 to the Criminal Code Amendment (Terrorism) Act 2002 commences, applies to this Part.
Amendments of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 made after that day do not apply to this Part.
This Part is not intended to exclude or limit the concurrent operation of any law of a State or Territory.
Without limiting subsection (1), this Part is not intended to exclude or limit the concurrent operation of a law of a State or Territory that makes:
(a) an act or omission that is an offence against a provision of this Part; or
(b) a similar act or omission;
an offence against the law of the State or Territory.
Subsection (2) applies even if the law of the State or Territory does any one or more of the following:
(a) provides for a penalty for the offence that differs from the penalty provided for in this Part;
(b) provides for a fault element in relation to the offence that differs from the fault elements applicable to the offence under this Part;
(c) provides for a defence in relation to the offence that differs from the defences applicable to the offence under this Part.
If:
(a) an act or omission of a person is an offence under this Part and is also an offence under the law of a State or Territory; and
(b) the person has been punished for the offence under the law of the State or Territory;
the person is not liable to be punished for the offence under this Part.
The regulations may modify the operation of this Part so that:
(a) provisions of this Part do not apply to a matter that is dealt with by a law of a State or Territory specified in the regulations; or
(b) no inconsistency arises between the operation of a provision of this Part and the operation of a State or Territory law specified in the regulations.
Without limiting subsection (1), regulations made for the purposes of that subsection may provide that the provision of this Part does not apply to:
(a) a person specified in the regulations; or
(b) a body specified in the regulations; or
(c) circumstances specified in the regulations; or
(d) a person or body specified in the regulations in the circumstances specified in the regulations.
In this section:
This section applies to:
(a) an express amendment of this Part (including this section); and
(b) an express amendment of Chapter 2 that applies only to this Part (whether or not it is expressed to apply only to this Part).
An express amendment to which this section applies is not to be made unless the amendment is approved by:
(a) a majority of the group consisting of the States, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory; and
(b) at least 4 States.
A person commits an offence if the person engages in a terrorist act.
Penalty: Imprisonment for life.
Section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against subsection (1).
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person provides or receives training; and
(b) the training is connected with preparation for, the engagement of a person in, or assistance in a terrorist act; and
(c) the person mentioned in paragraph (a) knows of the connection described in paragraph (b).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 25 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person provides or receives training; and
(b) the training is connected with preparation for, the engagement of a person in, or assistance in a terrorist act; and
(c) the person mentioned in paragraph (a) is reckless as to the existence of the connection described in paragraph (b).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
A person commits an offence under this section even if the terrorist act does not occur.
Section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against this section.
If, in a prosecution for an offence (the
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person possesses a thing; and
(b) the thing is connected with preparation for, the engagement of a person in, or assistance in a terrorist act; and
(c) the person mentioned in paragraph (a) knows of the connection described in paragraph (b).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person possesses a thing; and
(b) the thing is connected with preparation for, the engagement of a person in, or assistance in a terrorist act; and
(c) the person mentioned in paragraph (a) is reckless as to the existence of the connection described in paragraph (b).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
A person commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) even if the terrorist act does not occur.
Section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against this section.
Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply if the possession of the thing was not intended to facilitate preparation for, the engagement of a person in, or assistance in a terrorist act.
A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (5) (see subsection 13.3 (3)).
If, in a prosecution for an offence (the
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person collects or makes a document; and
(b) the document is connected with preparation for, the engagement of a person in, or assistance in a terrorist act; and
(c) the person mentioned in paragraph (a) knows of the connection described in paragraph (b).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person collects or makes a document; and
(b) the document is connected with preparation for, the engagement of a person in, or assistance in a terrorist act; and
(c) the person mentioned in paragraph (a) is reckless as to the existence of the connection described in paragraph (b).
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
A person commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) even if the terrorist act does not occur.
Section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against this section.
Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply if the collection or making of the document was not intended to facilitate preparation for, the engagement of a person in, or assistance in a terrorist act.
A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (5) (see subsection 13.3 (3)).
If, in a prosecution for an offence (the
A person commits an offence if the person does any act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act.
Penalty: Imprisonment for life.
A person commits an offence under subsection (1) even if the terrorist act does not occur.
Section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against subsection (1).
In this Division:
(a) a person who is an informal member of the organisation; and
(b) a person who has taken steps to become a member of the organisation; and
(c) in the case of an organisation that is a body corporate—a director or an officer of the body corporate.
(a) an organisation that is directly or indirectly engaged in, preparing, planning, assisting in or fostering the doing of a terrorist act (whether or not the terrorist act occurs); or
(b) an organisation that is specified by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph (see subsections (2), (3) and (4)).
Before the Governor-General makes a regulation specifying an organisation for the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of
(a) the Security Council of the United Nations has made a decision relating wholly or partly to terrorism; and
(b) the organisation is identified in the decision, or using a mechanism established under the decision, as an organisation to which the decision relates; and
(c) the organisation is directly or indirectly engaged in, preparing, planning, assisting in or fostering the doing of a terrorist act (whether or not the terrorist act has occurred or will occur).
Regulations for the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of
(a) the repeal of those regulations; or
(b) the cessation of effect of those regulations under subsection (4); or
(c) the making of new regulations the same in substance as those regulations (whether the new regulations are made or take effect before or after those regulations cease to have effect because of this subsection).
A regulation specifying an organisation for the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of
(a) the decision mentioned in paragraph (2) (a) ceases to have effect; or
(b) the organisation ceases to be identified as described in paragraph (2) (b).
The regulation does not revive even if the organisation is again identified as described in paragraph (2) (b).
To avoid doubt, subsection (4) does not prevent:
(a) the repeal of a regulation; or
(b) the making of a regulation that is the same in substance as a regulation that has ceased to have effect because of that subsection.
For the purpose of making regulations specifying an organisation for the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally directs the activities of an organisation; and
(b) the organisation is a terrorist organisation; and
(c) the person knows the organisation is a terrorist organisation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 25 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally directs the activities of an organisation; and
(b) the organisation is a terrorist organisation; and
(c) the person is reckless as to whether the organisation is a terrorist organisation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally is a member of an organisation; and
(b) the organisation is a terrorist organisation because of paragraph (b) of the definition of
terrorist organisation in this Division (whether or not the organisation is a terrorist organisation because of paragraph (a) of that definition also); and(c) the person knows the organisation is a terrorist organisation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.
Subsection (1) does not apply if the person proves that he or she took all reasonable steps to cease to be a member of the organisation as soon as practicable after the person knew that the organisation was a terrorist organisation.
A defendant bears a legal burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2) (see section 13.4).
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally recruits a person to join, or participate in the activities of, an organisation; and
(b) the organisation is a terrorist organisation; and
(c) the first-mentioned person knows the organisation is a terrorist organisation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 25 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally recruits a person to join, or participate in the activities of, an organisation; and
(b) the organisation is a terrorist organisation; and
(c) the first-mentioned person is reckless as to whether the organisation is a terrorist organisation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally provides training to, or intentionally receives training from, an organisation; and
(b) the organisation is a terrorist organisation; and
(c) the person knows the organisation is a terrorist organisation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 25 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally provides training to, or intentionally receives training from, an organisation; and
(b) the organisation is a terrorist organisation; and
(c) the person is reckless as to whether the organisation is a terrorist organisation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally receives funds from, or makes funds available to, an organisation (whether directly or indirectly); and
(b) the organisation is a terrorist organisation; and
(c) the person knows the organisation is a terrorist organisation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 25 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally receives funds from, or makes funds available to, an organisation (whether directly or indirectly); and
(b) the organisation is a terrorist organisation; and
(c) the person is reckless as to whether the organisation is a terrorist organisation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to the person’s receipt of funds from the organisation if the person proves that he or she received the funds solely for the purpose of the provision of:
(a) legal representation for a person in proceedings relating to this Division; or
(b) assistance to the organisation for it to comply with a law of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory.
A defendant bears a legal burden in relation to the matter in subsection (3) (see section 13.4).
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally provides to an organisation support or resources that would help the organisation engage in an activity described in paragraph (a) of the definition of
terrorist organisation in this Division; and(b) the organisation is a terrorist organisation; and
(c) the person knows the organisation is a terrorist organisation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 25 years.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally provides to an organisation support or resources that would help the organisation engage in an activity described in paragraph (a) of the definition of
terrorist organisation in this Division; and(b) the organisation is a terrorist organisation; and
(c) the person is reckless as to whether the organisation is a terrorist organisation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.
Section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against this Division.
This section applies if, in a prosecution for an offence (the
The trier of fact may find the defendant not guilty of the prosecuted offence but guilty of the alternative offence, so long as the defendant has been accorded procedural fairness in relation to that finding of guilt.
A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person provides or collects funds; and
(b) the person is reckless as to whether the funds will be used to facilitate or engage in a terrorist act.
Penalty: Imprisonment for life.
Intention is the fault element for the conduct described in paragraph (1) (a). See subsection 5.6 (1).
A person commits an offence under subsection (1) even if the terrorist act does not occur.
Section 15.4 (extended geographical jurisdiction—category D) applies to an offence against subsection (1).
If:
(a) regulations were made before commencement for the purposes of paragraph (c) of the definition of
terrorist organisation in subsection 102.1 (1), as in force before commencement; and(b) the regulations were in force immediately before commencement;
the regulations have effect, after commencement, as if they had been made for the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of
In this section,
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