January 31, 2025
No change to threat level after caravan bomb found Australia's intelligence boss Mike Burgess says he does not anticipate a change to the national terrorism threat level despite a "disturbing escalation" in anti-Semitic acts.
The threat level was raised to probable last August, meaning there is more than a 50 per cent chance of a domestic terrorist attack or attack planning in the next 12 months.
The ASIO director-general made the rare comments following the discovery of an explosive-laden caravan alongside addresses of potential Jewish targets in northwestern Sydney. NSW Police and other agencies have been secretly investigating the incident since January 19.
Although he acknowledged the incident was "distressing", Mr Burgess said the matter remained under police investigation and ASIO did not believe there were ongoing concerns for community safety.
"We have seen a disturbing escalation in the targeting of Jewish interests, and a disturbing escalation in the severity and recklessness of the targeting, with general harassment and intimidation moving to the targeting of people and places," he said. "These incidents are appalling, and particularly distressing for the Jewish community."
Earlier on Thursday, Peter Dutton again attacked Anthony Albanese for not acting faster to control the "predictable" rise of anti-Semitism.
The Opposition Leader said the caravan could have led to the "most significant terrorist attack and loss of life in our country's history".
"Should we act surprised that this has escalated to an attempted terrorist attack? No, we shouldn't," Mr Dutton said.
"The Prime Minister needs to show national leadership to deal with a national crisis and so far there's been no sign of it."
The Prime Minister said he had been briefed on the caravan incident but wouldn't say when he was told, saying he would not discuss "operational matters".
The abandoned caravan was found by a local resident on the side of a road in Dural in northwest Sydney on January 19.
Mr Albanese also wouldn't disclose whether the incident had been discussed at a national cabinet meeting on anti-Semitism on January 21 that followed the firebombing of a Sydney childcare centre.
The Coalition's home affairs spokesman James Paterson said there was "no good operational reason" for Mr Albanese to not share when he was briefed on the caravan and what steps he took after being told.
"What measures did he put in place ... was the national security committee or cabinet convened?" he said.
"That's the premier decision making body for counter-terrorism and law enforcement and national security in our country. And if he didn't convene it, then we have a problem."
