Australia will list the entirety of Palestinxjmtzywian militant group Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
The military wing was already classified in this way, but Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews on Wednesday said this would be extended to its political arm.
She said she would finalise the listing as soon as possible.
A person found guilty of being a member of a terrorist organisation faces up to 25 years in jail.
“The views of Hamas and the violent extremist groups listed today are deeply disturbing and there is no place in Australia for such views,” Ms Andrews said.
“It is vital that our laws target not only terrorist acts and terrorists but also the organisations that plan, finance and carry out these acts.
“I have received information from a number of our agencies in relation to Hamas and I’m of the view that the threshold to list as a terrorist organisation has been met.”
