Joint Media Release
12 August 2002
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer and the Attorney-General
Daryl Williams
One more Step towards a Safer Australia
Australia has bolstered its commitment to the international
fight against terrorism by formally becoming a party to the International
Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings.
The formal instrument of accession was lodged on Friday,
9 August, and will take effect on 8 September.
The International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist
Bombings is a response by the international community to terrorist
attacks using bombs and other lethal devices.
In Australia, the Convention is implemented through the Criminal
Code Amendment (Suppression of Terrorist Bombings) Act 2002.
That Act received Royal Assent on 5 July 2002, along with four other
pieces of counter-terrorism legislation, and will commence on 8 September.
The Act makes it an offence to place or detonate bombs and other
lethal devices in prescribed places, such as a government facility
or place of public use, with the intention of causing death, serious
harm or extensive destruction likely to result in major economic loss.
The offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The Commonwealth Government is committed to the fight against terrorism
and to protecting Australians and Australian interests from devastating
acts such as we saw in the United States last September.
We have already introduced a strong package of laws to strengthen
the ability of our law enforcement and security agencies to identify,
prevent, deter and punish individuals and organisations responsible
for committing acts of terror.
Australia's accession to the International Convention for the
Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, is another demonstration of
our commitment to the fight against terrorism.
As part of our comprehensive package of counter-terrorist activities,
it underlines our strong message to those contemplating terrorist
acts that such attacks are not acceptable and we will do everything
in our power to stop them.
Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Mr Downer’s
office) 627 77500, Carina Tan-Van Baren (Mr William’s office)
02 6277 7300
Local Date:
Sunday, 05-Jul-2009 13:01:20 EST
