Parliament passes law to list Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as terrorist group after attacks in Sydney, Melbourne

Parliament has passed laws letting the federal government list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the national terror register.

The Albanese government introduced the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025 after “credible intelligence” found the IRGC “directed at least two” anti-Semitic attacks in Australia’s biggest cities.

The tweaks passed the Senate on Thursday without amendment.

“The first priority of our government is the safety and protection of all Australians, which is why we have acted decisively in passing this vital legislation through the parliament,” Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said in a statement.

“This legislation is a warning that foreign states and their supporters who seek to fuel division, create fear, erode social cohesion and perpetrate violence in the Australian community will be held to account.

“These changes will make it more difficult, more risky, and more costly for malicious foreign actors to seek to cause Australia and our community harm.”

The legislation came after a sensational press conference in August in which Anthony Albanese, flanked by domestic spy boss Mike Burgess and senior ministers, declared the IRGC orchestrated the arson attacks on Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.

The Prime Minister also expelled Iran’s ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi.

While Mr Sadeghi was not directly accused of involvement, he had made anti-Semitic social media posts calling for the destruction of Israel.

Elaborating on the intelligence, Mr Burgess said the IRGC used “complex web of proxies” to carry out the attacks.

More to come...