Criminal Law and National Security
The Law Council engages in advocacy and policy development in relation to federal criminal and national security issues on behalf of the Australian legal profession. The Law Council campaigns on behalf of the profession on important Commonwealth criminal law issues. It also monitors the way that relevant federal agencies such as the Australian Crime Commission and Australian Federal Policy implement legislative provisions, particularly those which give them extraordinary powers, such as in the area of serious and organised crime.
Australia’s national security and counter-terrorism laws aim to prevent, detect and prosecute those involved in terrorism, espionage and foreign interference. The Law Council recognises the importance of Australia’s law enforcement and security agencies having appropriate powers to effectively perform their statutory functions. An ongoing priority for the Law Council is to review national security and counter-terrorism laws to ensure that they are reasonable, necessary and proportionate to a legitimate purpose. This includes legislation counter-terrorism measures relating to control orders, preventative detention orders, pre-charge detention, post-sentencing detention, surveillance and telecommunications interception, data retention, terrorist financing, foreign incursions, terrorist organisations, travel documents and citizenship. The Law Council supports regular and independent reviews of Australia’s national security laws by Parliamentary Committees and the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor.
Law Council
COAG Legislation Amendment Bill 2021
Law Council
Law Council launches National Security Committee
Law Council
Law Council welcomes PJCIS recommendations
Law Council
Let’s not rush important Bills through Parliament
Law Council
Data retention legislation needs more work
Law Council
Independent checks on de-encryption powers needed
Law Council
Media freedoms - striking a balance
Law Council
National Press Club Address
Law Council
Address to the National Press Club - Arthur Moses SC
Law Council
Opinion Piece: Free press is key to our democracy
Law Council
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2019
Law Council
Encryption access laws passed through the Senate
Law Council
Witness K/Collaery prosecution
Law Council
Espionage report a step in the right direction
Law Council
ASIO’s detention power repeal recommended
Law Council
Review of ASIO's questioning and detention powers
Law Council
2017 Independent Intelligence Review
Law Council
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)
Law Council
Mohamed Haneef Case
Law Council
Anti-Terrorism Reform Project
Law Council
Independent National Security Legislation Monitor
Law Council
Anti-Terror Laws
Law Council
National Criminal Law Committee
Law Council
Questioning and detention powers
Law Council
Establishment of a National Integrity Commission
Law Council