Expanded Definitions of Terrorist Acts and Offences
Statutes Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2026
Legislative Council
House of Assembly
Assent
Introduced by: The Hon Kyam Maher (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
Terrorist acts are now defined by the Commonwealth Criminal Code; this includes acts involving state sponsors of terrorism.
Terrorist offences now include crimes against state sponsors of terrorism; the offence must carry a maximum penalty of 7 or more years imprisonment.
These expanded definitions apply to bail, sentencing, and the management of high risk offenders.
The definition of a serious offence now includes crimes involving state sponsors of terrorism.
Police powers regarding terrorist acts now follow the Commonwealth Criminal Code; this specifically excludes acts that consist only of a threat.
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Kyam Maher ALP
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Today, I introduce the Statutes Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2026.”