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Young extremists still a risk as program fails

January 15, 2025

Wednesday 15 January 2025
Remy Varga
Townsville Bulletin

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.

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