CANBERRA, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on Friday announced that Jabhat al-Nusra had been listed as a terrorist organization under Australia's counter-terrorism laws.
"This organization was listed following careful consideration of advice from security agencies for the purposes of the Criminal Code," Dreyfus said.
"Jabhat Al-Nusra is an extremist group fighting against Bashar al Assad's regime in Syria, with direct links with Al-Qaeda in Iraq, which supplies it with weapons, recruits and equipment. The Australian Government deplores the violence and suffering that is occurring in Syria," Dreyfus said.
The Attorney-General said Jabhat al-Nusra has a history of suicide attacks and indiscriminate bombings in Syria.
An organization is listed as a terrorist organisation under the Commonwealth Criminal Code when the organization is directly or indirectly engaged in, preparing, planning, assisting in or fostering the doing of a terrorist act or advocates the doing of a terrorist act.
"The Government remains resolute in its commitment to national security, protecting Australia, its people and its interests," Dreyfus said.
It is now an offense to direct the activities of, be a member of, recruit for, train for and receive training from Jabhat al- Nusra, according to the Australian government.
It is also an offense to get funds to, from or for, provide support to and associate with members of Jabhat al-Nusra. These offenses attract penalties of imprisonment for up to 25 years. The listing of an organization is valid for three years, after which the organization may be re-listed.
Mom makes target weight to donate kidney to son