Government White Paper on counter-terrorism gets ECAJ tick
The President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Robert Goot, has welcomed the Australian government’s latest white paper on counter-terrorism.
ECAJ President Robert Goot
Goot said: “The Government is to be commended for acknowledging that there has been an increase in the threat of terrorism from people born or raised in Australia who have become influenced by the violent Jihadist message, and for its frank warning that there is, and will for the foreseeable future be, a significant threat of home-grown terrorism in Australia.”
“Whilst the Government is also correct in observing that the challenge of terrorism has evolved since the government’s last counter-terrorism White Paper in 2004, , I think the White Paper understates the shift that has occurred towards home-grown threats of terrorism and away from threats emanating from Al Qaeda and groups affiliated with or inspired by it.”
“Thirty eight people have been prosecuted for terrorist-related offences in Australia. Five Sydney extremists were convicted last week of plotting a terrorist attack in Australia, each jailed for between 23 and 28 years. Whilst border security remains a priority, the larger threat now appears to come from groups operating within Australia.
