Tony Abbott has announced a suspected terrorist had been intercepted at Melbourne Airport.
First at 4:00, a major developing story out of Canberra, where the Prime Minister has revealed a suspected terrorist has been intercepted at an Australian airport.
Live to Marija Jovanovic at Federal Parliament.
Marija, where and when did this happen?
Mel, the person was intercepted at Melbourne's international airport on Monday, where a new counter-terrorism squad was only deployed late last week.
The officers in those squads are among 80 who will eventually be patrolling international airports across the country.
The government's continuing to push its crackdown on terrorism, which has also helped spike its popularity in the polls in recent weeks.
It says 15 Australians, including 2 suicide bombers, have died fighting alongside Islamic extremists in both Syria and Iraq.
The head of Australia's security and intelligence agency says while the threat is real, it's also manageable.
We anticipate that there will be a spike over the next few years and the return of foreign fighters from Syria and Iraq to Indonesia.
I am absolutely not persuaded that this passive surveillance of the Australian population is going to help us either solve crime or keep the country safer.
The safety of our nation is the first priority of government.
Soon, there will be biometric screening at all our international airports.
The US is one step ahead and has started mobilising allies ahead of more planned air strikes over Syria and Iraq.
US President Barack Obama is considering a broad coalition to help.
There are reports Australia is one of those nations expected to join the military action.
But, Mel, no confirmation just yet from authorities here.
No comments:
Post a Comment