Australia: Review bodies recommend revision of anti-terrorism laws

On 29 May, the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC), reviewing the new sedition laws at the request by the Attorney-General (AG), recommended that the offence of “sedition” be replaced with “offences against political liberty and public order” and that the offence should require an intention to urge the use of force or violence. On 15 June, the Security Legislation Review Committee (SLRC), appointed to review six anti-terrorism laws, concluded that some sections of the laws violated human rights. The Committee recommendations included; a fairer and more transparent procedure for proscribing an organization as a “terrorist organization” and repeal of the offence of “association with a terrorist organization”.