Terrorism poses an enduring and evolving threat requiring a coordinated and collaborative approach between governments, the private sector and community. Addressing the threat requires sustained effort and responsive policies that are informed by a robust understanding of the changing risk environment and operational experience of law enforcement.

As the Director-General of ASIO has observed, the threat from Islamic extremism endures, with groups including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and al-Qaeda continuing to inspire attacks globally and in Australia. However, this does not mean our agencies are blind to other extremist threats. Unfortunately, there are groups of individuals in Australia motivated by Nazism, white supremacy and other hateful ideologies.

We will not tolerate any form of extremism that resorts to intimidation or violence to spread a message of hate.

At the time of writing, the Australian Government is in the process of listing Sonnenkrieg Division as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code. Sonnenkrieg Division’s encouragement, promotion and glorification of terrorism has inspired UK-based extremists, and has the potential to similarly inspire Australia-based extremists. Listing ensures that Criminal Code offences with penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment apply to this organisation.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security is also undertaking an inquiry into extremist movements and radicalism in Australia. Once the inquiry is complete, the government will carefully consider the committee’s recommendations in relation to current legislative settings and other matters.

Since the national terrorism threat level was raised to PROBABLE in August 2014, there have been 19 major terrorism disruptions and 129 people charged with relevant terrorism offences in Australia as a result of almost 60 counterterrorism operations.

Over that time, the Australian Government has invested an additional $2.3 billion to strengthen our national response and support the outstanding men and women of our security, police and intelligence communities. It is thanks to their efforts that Australians can live safely, enjoying the freedoms we do.

As we learned from the horrific 2019 London Bridge attack and 2020 Streatham attack in the UK, convicted terrorists can pose a very real and ongoing threat to public safety when they are released back into the community after serving their sentences. In Australia, we have introduced a presumption against parole for all convicted terrorist offenders, as well as critical measures providing for the continued detention of high-risk terrorist offenders after the conclusion of their custodial sentences, and control orders, where a court finds that relevant thresholds are met.

With 15 high-risk terrorist offenders due for release in the next five years, the government has sought to further strengthen these laws by introducing a Bill to establish an extended supervision order scheme. The scheme will provide a robust alternative in circumstances where continued detention is not available, ensuring that high-risk terrorist offenders who are released into the community are subject to close supervision in proportion to the level of risk they pose to community safety.

The Australian Government continues to work in partnership with our regional and international allies to assess and counter the threat of terrorism. The government has put in place measures to prevent the travel of Australians to support terrorism abroad and to manage the return of foreign terrorist fighters.

I thank ASPI for its continued leadership in counterterrorism research and I encourage continued analysis and thoughtful dialogue to advance consideration of counterterrorism strategies that strengthen the safety of our communities.