The NSW Government will further strengthen counter-terrorism laws to better protect the community from terrorists and other dangerous offenders.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Attorney General Mark Speakman and Minister for Counter Terrorism David Elliott announced that new laws would be introduced into the NSW Parliament today to bolster the state’s comprehensive counter-terror framework.
“NSW already has the toughest counter-terror laws in the nation and we will continue to work hard to strengthen our defences against the evolving threat of terrorism,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The new laws being introduced into the NSW Parliament today will:
- Enable law enforcement officials to use surveillance devices in inmates’ cells to gather evidence to keep offenders behind bars or under heavy supervision if they pose an unacceptable risk of committing a terrorist offence at the end of their sentence;
- Empower the State to apply to the Supreme Court to protect intelligence provided by intelligence agencies by limiting the access of offenders who may pose a terrorist risk, and their legal representatives, to that intelligence. This will be in accordance with strict security and confidentiality requirements; and
- Streamline the interaction between terrorism, parole and high-risk sex and violent offender laws to better protect the community.
“We are stepping up our surveillance of inmates in our prisons to ensure that we have the best chance to keep potential terrorists behind bars or under heavy supervision,” Mr Elliott said.
“These important reforms introduce extraordinary powers which can be exercised by the Supreme Court – with appropriate safeguards – to help keep the community safe,” Mr Speakman said.
“These reforms also ensure that our laws retain the flexibility required to protect the community against the state’s most dangerous offenders, including terrorists, high risk sex offenders and high risk violence offenders.”
The new laws strengthen the extensive counter-terror framework already implemented by the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government, including a presumption against bail and parole for anyone with links to terror, and the provision of certainty for Police who are required to use lethal force against terrorists.
The National Terrorism Threat Level remains at probable.
Community members should exercise caution and report any suspicious incidents to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400. Report life-threatening situations to Police on Triple Zero.