Govt seeks to outlaw hate preaching
Tony Abbott has flagged a tougher stance on hate preaching and warned Australian citizenships could be revoked, as he spelled out the worsening terrorist threat to the nation.
The prime minister on Monday outlined a number of new steps to tackle terrorism in a speech at the Australian Federal Police headquarters in Canberra.
“The terrorist threat is rising at home and abroad and it’s becoming harder to combat,” Abbott said.
To date, 110 Australians have travelled overseas to join Islamic State, with 30 returning and at least 20 dead.
However, Abbott said there were at least 140 IS supporters in Australia and the country faced a real risk of Australians returning as “hardened jihadists” intent on radicalising others.
Since September when the national terrorist threat level was lifted to “high” – meaning a terrorist attack is likely – 20 people have been arrested and charged.
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Spy agency ASIO has more than 400 “high-priority” counter-terrorism investigations under way – more than double the number a year ago.
Under changes to be brought in this year, returning foreign fighters will be prosecuted or monitored under control orders and could lose their Australian citizenship and welfare benefits.
“Australians who take up arms with terrorist groups, especially while Australian military personnel are engaged in Afghanistan and Iraq, have sided against their country and should be treated accordingly,” Abbott said.
A national counter-terrorism co-ordinator will be appointed and the states will be included in the national strategy.
Abbott named the group Hizb ut-Tahrir as being among the organisations that will be targeted for “blatantly spreading discord and division”.
“The government will be taking action against hate preachers,” he said.
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Security agencies will be quarantined from the government’s efficiency dividend – regular spending cuts put in place to balance the budget.
Abbott said he could not promise a terrorist attack would never occur on Australian soil, but his government would never underestimate the threat.
Labor leader Bill Shorten said the opposition would consider the proposed changes.
“Labor believes that keeping Australia secure and our people safe is above politics,” he said.
Key recommendations of the counter-terrorism review
* The government quarantine security agencies such as ASIO, the AFP and ASIS from its efficiency dividend
* Develop a new counter-terrorism strategy in close consultation with states and territories
* Appoint a National Counter-Terrorism Co-ordinator to chair a new counter terrorism group advising government
* Seek state and federal agreement on a new Counter Violent Extremism strategy to tackle radicalisation in Australia
* Establish and expand community and public-private partnerships to better reach at risk and radicalised individuals
* That the Attorney-General’s Department coordinate the government response to foreign fighters returning to Australia
