February 10, 2022
Australia is likely to be hit by a terror attack in the next year. That was the message from Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews when she met with Jewish leaders in Melbourne last week.
At a briefing hosted by Zionism Victoria and the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) at Beth Weizmann, she said, “We have credible intelligence that says there are people out there who have the capability and intent to do harm,” adding that there is a probable “likelihood that over the next 12 months, Australia will be subject to a terrorist attack”.
“What we don’t know is where that attack will be, what will be tied to that attack, nor when it will take place.”
The minister was joined by Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood; Senator James Paterson; Liberal candidate for Macnamara Christopher Ride; and Deputy State Opposition Leader David Southwick who arranged the visit.
The focus of the briefing was the security and safety of the Jewish community.
Leaders shared their concerns following a notable increase in antisemitic incidents. Andrews assured them that the federal government “will continue to make sure that everything we do is focused on keeping our communities safe”.
“We will continue to look at what we need to do to ensure that we are supporting our communities particularly as they face violent extremism,” she said.
“It was devastating for us to hear that members of your community do not feel safe.”
In a communal gathering following the briefing, Zionism Victoria president Yossi Goldfarb made reference to the recent Amnesty International report labelling Israel an apartheid regime, calling it “a calumny against the State of Israel and the Jewish people”.
Welcoming the Prime Minister’s rejection of the report, he went on to acknowledge the federal government’s consistent support for Israel and the community.
Paterson, meanwhile, thanked the minister for the government’s “listing of Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organisation”, with the minister then acknowledging that the government is presently considering the proscription of the entirety of Hamas.
Thanking the government for its support, JCCV president Daniel Aghion particularly noted the Safer Communities Fund Infrastructure Grants for capital security expenditure.
Responding to security concerns raised by attendees, Andrews said “Every single piece of intelligence is valuable to us in making sure that we can work with you and protect you and your community.”
She concluded, “We will continue to work with ASIO, with our law enforcement agencies to ensure that we are in the best position to work with you.”
