January 15, 2025
Deradicalisation programs have failed to change the behaviour of high risk individuals authorities fear could commit acts of terror in Australia, or to even produce data on whether the initiative works.
A landmark evaluation, obtained by this masthead under freedom of information laws, found the behaviour of some individuals actually worsened in the program, triggering the involvement of law enforcement agencies.
The Australian Institute of Criminology report identified problematic behaviour as criminal offending, viewing and producing extremist material, and talking positively about acts of violent extremism.
"There are positive signs of attitudinal change among young people with extremist views, but mixed evidence in relation to changes in behaviour and how these attitudes had manifested," said the AIC report.
It indicated some individuals continued to exhibit problematic behaviour, such as watching extremist content online: "For example, case managers have reported the need for ongoing conversations with some clients about accessing extremist online content."
In a small number of cases, "the risk associated with clients had escalated and required the involvement of law enforcement".
The revelations come amid rising reports of anti-Semitism and after a spate of attacks by individuals in deradicalisation programs last year. This includes the alleged Christchurch massacre- inspired stabbing of a University of Sydney student, and a teenager shot dead after knifing a Bunnings worker in Perth.
The AIC report is the only assessment of whether the Living Safe Together Intervention Program within the Home Affairs Department actually works.
The report said that "robust assessment data" on the success or failings of the program was not available, while the relative infancy of the program meant it was not possible to assess the long-term impact on individuals.
"While these data are anecdotal, they do provide some preliminary evidence as to the changes that have occurred in the lives of (primarily young) people who have engaged in the intervention program," said the report.
After the report was delivered in 2018, the commonwealth increased funding for the LSTIP by $61.7m over four years. Its success has not been evaluated since.
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said the threat of a terror attack in Australia remained and said the government needed tools that could protect the community.
"If Home Affairs is not confident deradicalisation programs are working, then the government must apply for post-sentence restrictions on released terrorist offenders," he said.
"Continuing detention orders are appropriate for the highest risk offenders, and extended supervision orders should be a priority for everyone else released into the community who still poses a risk."
The LSTIP approach focuses on intervention through positive community integration and participation by building high risk individuals' "social and emotional resilience" to radical ideologies and exposing them to positive influences.
The AIC report found in some cases the program had positively changed the behaviour of high risk individuals.
Some, particularly those radicalised by Islamic ideologies, changed their attitudes towards the use of violence and learnt to accept different life styles and views as part of living in a diverse society.
"A small number of clients reported a shift from wanting to die for their beliefs to now believing they did have something to live for," the report said.
A Home Affairs spokesperson said the most effective way to protect people was through early intervention, and the LSTIP provided support, referral and diversion services.