PJCIS Backs Government's Listing Decision
Endorsement came from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) for the Federal Government's decision to list Hizb ut-Tahrir as a prohibited hate group in Australia. This announcement was made on 14th May 2026.
March 2026 marked the first listing of Hizb ut-Tahrir under a new legal framework aimed at curbing organisations that promote hate and threaten social cohesion. The PJCIS review affirmed the listing, confirming that Hizb ut-Tahrir advocates conduct that constitutes hate crimes against Australians.
According to the Committee, the listing was in accordance with Part 5.3B of the Criminal Code Act 1995, and no grounds were found to disallow the legislative instrument. Senator Raff Ciccone, Chair of the PJCIS, remarked, "The PJCIS carefully examined the evidence before it, including stakeholder views. Based on the evidence, the Committee is satisfied that Hizb ut-Tahrir has advocated conduct constituting hate crimes and that the listing is reasonably necessary to protect the Australian community from harm."
New Legislation Targets Hate Groups
Criminal offences now include membership, recruitment, funding, and providing material support to Hizb ut-Tahrir under the new listing. This measure is part of broader legislation introduced earlier in 2026 to address groups that spread hatred and radicalise individuals.
Senator Ciccone emphasised, "For too long, organisations like Hizb ut-Tahrir have been able to spread hate and create a pathway for others to engage in violence. Australia will not tolerate groups that promote hatred, normalise extremist rhetoric and put the safety of Australians at risk."
The public is encouraged to report any experiences or observations of hate crimes to the National Security Hotline at 1800 123 400. The full report on the Committee's findings is available on their official website.
In 2026, the new laws were enacted by the Parliament to stop groups that spread hatred and threaten social cohesion. This was the first listing under these new laws, showcasing a strong stance against hate groups.
Independent reviews conducted by the PJCIS found that Hizb ut-Tahrir meets the criteria for listing as a prohibited hate group. Anyone who witnesses a hate crime is encouraged to report it, ensuring community safety.
