THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has recommended the Parliament pass, with amendments, a new Extended Supervision Order (ESO) scheme and interim supervision orders to better protect Australians from high-risk terrorist offenders (HRTO) who are due to be released into community after serving their custodial sentence.

In its Advisory report on the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2020 tabled on Thursday, the PJCIS made 11 recommendations in relation to the Bill, including recommendations to improve clarity and guidance on the operation of the scheme.

The new ESO scheme would address the current interoperability between control orders and continuing detention orders by enabling a State or Territory Supreme Court to impose any conditions that are reasonably necessary, and reasonably appropriate and adapted, to protect the community from the risk of a serious terrorism offence.

The Bill has been introduced to broaden the tools available to address the risk posed by convicted terrorist offenders and strengthen Australia’s counter-terrorism framework.

There are currently a number of convicted terrorists due to be released into the Australian community between now and the expiry of their custodial sentences in 2025.

Chair of the Committee, Senator James Paterson, said, “The committee recognises that many high-risk terrorist offenders who are due to be released from prison may still pose an unacceptable risk to the community.

“The new Extended Supervision Order scheme and interim supervision orders will give law enforcement the tools to manage and monitor the ongoing threat that a terrorist offender may pose to the community following their release from jail,” Senator Paterson said.

Australia’s Terrorism Threat Level was raised to ‘Probable’ in September 2014. Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and increased access to online material has increased the reach of extremist propaganda.

“An ESO scheme will enable law enforcement to tailor orders proportionate to the threat of each offender and should be swiftly passed by the parliament,” Senator Paterson said.

Further information on the inquiry as well as a copy of the report can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

THE Smart Energy Council – an independent peak national body for the solar industry – has welcomed the Australian Government’s review of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) released today.

John Grimes, chief executive of the Smart Energy Council, said, “Australians love solar and have voted with their rooftops. They deserve good quality solar, installed by good quality installers.

“The reforms proposed by the Australian Government will help ensure Australian families are looked after as they slash their power bills with solar.

“The Smart Energy Council has long called for a single regulator for the Australian Government’s solar scheme. We totally support that recommendation.

“The Smart Energy Council also welcomes proposals for increased sampling and testing of solar PV components and increased accountability for solar retailers.

“The Smart Energy Council looks forward to working with the Clean Energy Regulator and the Australian Government in implementing these reforms.”

You can find the review report here and the government response here.

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A HIGH COURT legal challenge to Victoria's controversial electric vehicle tax by two drivers will argue that the State of Victoria lacks the constitutional power to levy a road user charge on electric vehicle drivers.

The case was filed today on behalf of the drivers by Equity Generation Lawyers. In July 2021, the Victorian Government introduced a new tax which charges electric vehicle drivers between 2 cents and 2.5 cents for every kilometre they drive.

Melbourne father and nurse manager Chris Vanderstock, one of the drivers bringing the case who uses his car for his daily work commute, said he had additional concerns to the constitutional validity of the laws.

“Instead of taxing clean technologies, the Victorian Government should be concentrating on getting dirty cars off the road,” Mr Vanderstock said. 

“Electric vehicles are cleaner and improve health and climate outcomes for everybody. Why is the Victorian Government taxing electric vehicles when they have a demonstrable health benefit?"

Melbourne mother and engineering consultant Kathleen Davies, the second electric vehicle driver mounting the High Court challenge, said she bought her first electric vehicle in 2012 to help reduce her family’s environmental impact. 

“Not only are electric vehicles better for the environment, they are also cheaper to run,” Ms Davies said. 

“Electric vehicles are becoming more affordable every year but this tax is a backward step for people wanting to transition to a cleaner and more economical car. 

“Victoria’s electric vehicle tax is fundamentally flawed and impractical. It punishes electric vehicle drivers and discourages the urgent need to decarbonise.” 

Jack McLean, lawyer for the drivers, said his clients would argue that the State of Victoria lacked the constitutional power to levy the tax.

"In addition to the validity of the tax, our clients are concerned it's also bad public policy,” Mr McLean said. 

“It discourages everyday Australians from switching to lower emission vehicles, prolonging our dependence on polluting oil. 

“It’s bad for Victorians, it’s bad for the climate and we will argue that it is unconstitutional”. 

Interested people can join a crowdfunding campaign to support the High Court challenge at: https://chuffed.org/project/evtax

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has tabled its Annual Report of Committee Activities 2020-2021 and made five recommendations to improve the framework within which it performs its oversight functions of national security and intelligence matters.

During the 2020-2021 year the committee undertook 26 inquiries and tabled 13 reports.

Chair of the committee, Senator James Paterson said, “The national security challenges facing Australia are unprecedented. The committee has the greatest workload it has ever faced as the challenges of foreign interference, espionage, terrorism and cyber security remain.

“Members of the PJCIS take seriously their important responsibilities ensuring accountability and providing oversight of our security and intelligence agencies, as well as making sure the dedicated men and women of the national intelligence community are well-equipped to respond to the challenges Australia faces," Senator Paterson said.

The committee has recommended reviewing the Intelligence Services Act 2001 which binds the committee at the commencement of the next parliament to ensure it remains fit for purpose and allows the committee to complete its work in a timely and efficient manner.

Further information on the functions and role of the committee as well as a copy of the report can be obtained from the committee’s website.

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