{"id":"F2017L00495","name":"Social Security (Declared Overseas Terrorist Act) Declaration 2017—London","slug":"social-security-declared-overseas-terrorist-act-declaration-2017-london","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":96243,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2017L00495-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Social Security (Declared Overseas Terrorist Act) Declaration 2017—London","content":"![Commonwealth Coat of Arms](image.001.png)\n\nSocial Security (Declared Overseas Terrorist Act) Declaration 2017—London\n\nSocial Security Act 1991\n\nI, MALCOLM BLIGH TURNBULL, Prime Minister, make this declaration under subsection 35B(1) of the Social Security Act 1991.\n\nDated 28 April 2017\n\n  \nMALCOLM BLIGH TURNBULL\n\nPrime Minister\n\n1 Name of declaration\n\nThis declaration is the Social Security (Declared Overseas Terrorist Act) Declaration 2017—London.\n\n2 Commencement\n\nThis declaration commences on the day after this instrument is registered.\n\n3 Definitions\n\nIn this declaration:\n\nAct means the Social Security Act 1991.\n\nterrorist act has the same meaning as in subsection 100.1(1) of the Criminal Code.\n\n4 Declared overseas terrorist act\n\nFor the purposes of subsection 35B(1) of the Act, the following terrorist act is a declared overseas terrorist act:\n\n1) The attack at approximately 2:40pm (local time) in London, England, between the eastern end of Westminster Bridge and the Members’ entrance to the Palace of Westminster in the Westminster New Palace Yard, on 22 March 2017.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This declaration does not alter the scope of the Social Security Act 1991. It simply applies subsection 35B(1) of that Act to a single, specifically described overseas event (preamble; section 4). The instrument does not expand, contract or amend the Act's text; it identifies an event to which the existing statutory mechanism will apply."},"complexity_factors":["Very short instrument (4 substantive sections plus preamble and signature).","Primary legal effect is to apply an external statutory provision (subsection 35B(1) of the Social Security Act 1991) to a single named event, so substantive rules are located outside the instrument.","Relies on a defined technical term from another statute (\"terrorist act\" as in Criminal Code), creating cross-referencing complexity for users who must consult multiple instruments (section 3).","Commencement timing is simple (day after registration) and there are no procedural, evidentiary or administrative detail in this instrument (section 2).","Leaves all operational consequences, criteria, and possible discretion to the principal Act, requiring readers to read both instruments to understand full effect (preamble; section 4)."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument declares the 22 March 2017 Westminster attack to be a \"declared overseas terrorist act\" for the purposes of subsection 35B(1) of the Social Security Act 1991, adopts the Criminal Code definition of \"terrorist act,\" and commences the day after registration. It does not itself set payments or procedures; any legal or financial effects follow from subsection 35B(1) of the Act."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This declaration performs exactly the narrow, specific function it was designed for: declaring a particular overseas terrorist act for the purposes of the social security scheme. There is no scope creep or expansion beyond the original legislative intent."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short instrument (4 sections, approximately 200 words)","Only 2 defined terms ('Act' and 'terrorist act')","No cross-references beyond the enabling provision (subsection 35B(1))","Single, straightforward declaration with no conditions, exceptions, or procedural requirements","No operative provisions beyond the factual description of the terrorist act"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a formal declaration by the Prime Minister that designates a specific terrorist attack as a 'declared overseas terrorist act' under Australia's social security laws.\n\n**What it does:**\nThe declaration officially recognises the Westminster Bridge attack in London on 22 March 2017 as a 'declared overseas terrorist act'. This triggers special provisions in the Social Security Act that allow affected people to access certain benefits or exemptions.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Australian victims and their families who were caught up in the Westminster Bridge attack\n- People who may have had their social security payments suspended or affected because they were overseas when the attack occurred\n- Generally, this allows victims to be treated more favourably under social security rules (for example, by waiving usual waiting periods or residency requirements that might otherwise apply)\n\n**Why it matters:**\nWithout this declaration, Australian victims of overseas terrorist attacks could lose their welfare payments or be penalised under normal social security rules for being overseas. The declaration ensures they don't suffer financially on top of the trauma they've experienced. It's part of a broader scheme to support Australians affected by terrorism abroad."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/social-security-declared-overseas-terrorist-act-declaration-2017-london","history":"/api/acts/social-security-declared-overseas-terrorist-act-declaration-2017-london/history","analysis":"/api/acts/social-security-declared-overseas-terrorist-act-declaration-2017-london/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/social-security-declared-overseas-terrorist-act-declaration-2017-london/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/social-security-declared-overseas-terrorist-act-declaration-2017-london/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/social-security-declared-overseas-terrorist-act-declaration-2017-london/documents"}}