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Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced today that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has provided the necessary advice to potentially outlaw the group Hizb ut-Tahrir. This marks the completion of the initial stage in the process of listing the group as prohibited.
Speaking with ABC’s Insiders, Burke explained, “The ASIO advice is in, and this is a significant development as it’s the first time we might ban a group that doesn’t meet the criteria for a terrorist listing.”
He further elaborated on the criteria, noting, “While the group may not explicitly call for violence, their actions could increase the risk of communal or politically motivated violence.”
Following ASIO’s clearance, the next steps involve the attorney-general signing off on the ban. A minister must prepare a brief, and the leader of the opposition needs to be informed before the prohibition can be enacted.
The attorney-general can sign off on the ban once ASIO has given the all clear and a minister has prepared a brief and the leader of the opposition is advised.
Hizb ut-Tahrir is a radical political organisation that aims to establish a global Islamic caliphate, with headquarters in Lebanon and branches across the world.
Hizb ut-Tahrir has also been banned in Germany, Egypt, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other Central Asian and Arab countries.
The new laws will create powers for authorities to designate certain organisations as “hate groups”, allowing members and donors alike to face possible jail time.
It will create new aggravated offences for religious or spiritual leaders who advocate violence, as well as penalise religious leaders who preach hate to children.
The new framework will also give ministers more powers to cancel or refuse visas to those who spread hate or extremist views.
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