Expansion to Australia’s sanctions regime passed by Parliament (updated)

On 2 December 2021 the Australian Parliament passed the Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Magnitsky-style and Other Thematic Sanctions) Bill 2021 (Bill) introducing a new thematic sanctions regime to the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 (Act) and Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (Regulations).

As outlined in our previous update, the amendments expand Australia’s existing autonomous sanctions regime (which enabled Australia to sanction specific countries) to a regime where Australia can directly sanction individuals and entities for engaging in particular types of thematic conduct. The expansion aligns Australia with similar ‘Magnitsky’ style regimes that operate in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and Canada.

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