WELLINGTON, Sept 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) – A counter-terrorism legislation bill, returned to parliament for its second reading, in an important step taken by New Zealand, towards giving enforcement agencies greater power, to protect the country from terrorist activities, a move following a terror attack more than two weeks ago.
The legislation is expected to introduce the criminal offence of “planning or preparation for a terrorist act,” Justice Minister, Kris Faafoi, said today, adding, this change has long been recommended, to plug a loophole in New Zealand’s legislation, to prevent terrorist attacks.
The bill is expected to go through its final stages in parliament, to become law by the end of this month.
The move was considered as a response to a horrific knife attack at a supermarket earlier this month. The attacker was shot dead by police on the spot, after he injured seven people, including three in critical conditions.
Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern said, it was a terrorist attack carried out by an “extremist” known to authorities since 2016.
The legislation also responds to the Christchurch mosque shootings on Mar 15, 2019, that killed 51 people and injured 40.
“They are reminders of how crucial it is to have laws which provide the tools we need, to act early to prevent and disrupt terrorist activity,” Faafoi said.
The bill addresses longstanding gaps in New Zealand’s counter terrorism legislation, that seeks to protect New Zealanders, the minister said, adding, it incorporates public input, including a recommended change to the definition of a terrorist act, to include the intention to intimidate, rather than to induce terror, as is defined in the current law.
The definition change brings the definition of a terrorist act into line with counter terrorism laws in other countries, he said, adding, it strengthens the laws to respond to the changing nature of terrorism, as more threats come from lone actors rather than terrorist organisations.
The Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill extends terrorism finance offences, to also criminalise providing wider forms of support to terrorist individuals or groups, such as goods and services.– NNN-AGENCIES