Review into Legal Definition of “Terrorist Act”
The Australian Government has launched an independent review into how the law defines a terrorist act. The move comes amid concerns about the radicalisation of young people and the rise of new, violent ideologies that may not fit neatly within current counter-terrorism laws.
Why Is This Happening?
Security agencies say extremist threats are changing. While traditional terrorism laws were designed around groups like al-Qaeda or ISIS, authorities are now seeing:
Younger people being radicalised
Violent, emerging ideologies that are not tied to religion
Uncoordinated attacks inspired by online propaganda rather than organised groups
The fear is that the law may not be flexible enough to respond to these evolving threats.
What Will the Review Look At?
The review will examine:
Whether the current definition of a “terrorist act” still covers modern threats
If laws need updating to capture ideologies not previously considered
How to ensure laws protect the public while safeguarding individual rights
The goal is to make sure the legislation is clear, targeted, and effective, without overreaching.
Why This Matters
For individuals: Broader definitions could mean more conduct falls under terrorism laws, with serious criminal penalties.
For communities: Changes could affect how police and security agencies investigate and intervene in suspected radicalisation cases.
For young people: There is concern about overreach and ensuring early intervention focuses on prevention, not just punishment.
Terrorism laws carry some of the harshest penalties in Australia. Any broadening of the definition of a terrorist act will have serious implications for human rights, criminal defence, and community safety.