Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan has backed a new strategy and increased funding in the Federal Budget to protect the community from terrorism, declaring the Government’s priority was the safety of residents.
“In a rapidly changing world, we are determined to ensure our way of life is protected from all forms of terrorism and violent extremism,” Mr Tehan said.
“Nothing is more important than the safety and security of residents. And only the government can deliver the serious national security measures we need to ensure that safety into the future.”
Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the new strategy came at a vital time.
“It’s a tragic reality that individuals, groups, and ideologies – both old and new – continue to plot and fantasize about doing us harm. The threat of terrorism continues to evolve.”
“The pandemic has seen the rise of new conspiracy theories, some of which may provide false justification for violent activities,” Minister Andrews said.
“As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and once more gather in crowds, we cannot be complacent about the terrorist threat,” Mr Tehan said.
“The Morrison Government is committed to countering violent extremism in all its forms and will continue to fund vital de-radicalisation programs. We will also continue to protect the community from those who will not renounce their murderous ideologies.”
To support the strategy, the new funding will be provided in the Federal Budget next week, including:
• $66.9 million for continued support for the High-Risk Terrorist Offender regime, and the implementation of the Extended Supervision Order framework;
• and $19.8 million towards establishing a National Convicted Terrorist Offender Register.
“These measures will provide our law enforcement and intelligence agencies with more tools to protect Australians from the threat posed by convicted terrorists who cannot be brought back from the brink,” Minister Andrews said.
“We have seen attacks recently in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The Morrison Government is committed to doing everything in our power to prevent such a tragedy from occurring here.”
144 people have been charged in 71 counter-terrorism related operations around Australia since 2014 when the national terrorism threat level was raised to probable.
“The National terrorist register is a practical idea to ensure the long term monitoring of terrorist offenders once they are released into the community,” Mr Tehan said.
“It adds to the tough new laws we’ve passed recently to make sure police have the powers they need to manage High-risk terrorist offenders.”
The Strategy, available now at: https://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/what-australia-is-doing/a-national-approach/australias-counter-terrorism-strategies
It outlines Australia’s counter-terror arrangements, and includes three national objectives:
• countering violent extremism in all its forms by preventing radicalisation of individuals before an attack takes place, and rehabilitating violent extremist offenders
• equipping our law enforcement, security intelligence and other operational agencies with the resources and powers to tackle terrorist threats
• ensuring that our counter-terrorism arrangements are fit-for-purpose and effective -both nationally and internationally.
