In response to the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States, the main focus of Australia’s domestic campaign was on introducing and strengthening Federal antiterrorism laws. In this article, the antiterrorism legislation receives a closer examination. Key legislation is reviewed with arguments that several provisions of legislation raise concerns in relation to civil liberties and human rights. The question was raised whether the laws are justified by the severity of the terrorism threat to Australia. A realistic assessment of the risk of a terrorism attack occurring inside Australia and the Government’s legislative response to the new threat has led to the conclusion that the introduction of a drastic domestic counterterrorism law is a clear overreaction. Most antiterrorism legislation is motivated by politicians. Notes