The New Zealand Parliament buildings, the Beehive on the left, the common name for the Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament and Parliament House on the right, in Wellington, New Zealand, Oct 1, 2017. (PHOTO / AP)
WELLINGTON – The New Zealand government has further strengthened and clarified counter-terrorism laws, particularly around high-risk individuals, to make the communities safer, Justice Minister Kiri Allan said on Thursday.
The Counter-Terrorism Acts (Designations and Control Orders) Amendment Bill 2023 passed its third reading with strong support across the parliament.
"The government will continue to respond to the evolving nature of terrorism to ensure our communities are kept safe from these horrific acts," Allan said.
The Control Orders Act will be more effective and ensure operational agencies have the right tools to better prevent and respond to terror attacks, Justice Minister Kiri Allan said
Following the Lynn Mall terror attack in 2021 in Auckland, the government sought a review of how the control order regime could be strengthened, to which Thursday's new laws responded, she said.
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The Control Orders Act will be more effective and ensure operational agencies have the right tools to better prevent and respond to terror attacks, the minister said.
The scheme to designate terrorist entities, which is also used to disrupt and prevent terrorism, will be strengthened and clarified too, she said, adding the scheme's purpose is to prevent further terrorist acts by placing restrictions on the assets and activities of identified terrorist entities, including individuals.
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"The scheme was brought in to stop New Zealanders from providing financial support to overseas terrorist groups following the September 11 attacks," Allan said.
The government continues to make progress on implementing the recommendations from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on two Christchurch mosques on March 15, 2019, she added.