Australia raises terror threat level citing rise in 'extreme ideologies'
The head of Australia's Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Mike Burgess, says there is a homegrown rise in "extreme ideologies" and a "greater than 50 percent chance of an onshore attack or planning in the next 12 months."
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00:00Australia's security environment is degrading. It is more volatile and more
00:04unpredictable. You've heard me say many times that espionage and foreign
00:08interference are our principal security concerns. ASIO's intelligence suggests
00:14that is no longer accurate. While the threats to our way of life remain
00:18elevated, we are seeing an increase in extremism. More Australians are being
00:23radicalised and radicalised more quickly. More Australians are embracing a more
00:28diverse range of extreme ideologies and more Australians are willing to use
00:33violence to advance their cause. Because of these complex dynamics it would also
00:39be inaccurate to suggest the next terrorist attack or plot is likely to be
00:43motivated by a twisted view of a particular religion or a particular
00:47ideology. The threat is across the board. In the last four months there have been
00:53eight attacks or disruptions that have either involved alleged terrorism or be
00:58investigated as potential acts of terrorism. A threat level of probable
01:04means we assess there is a greater than 50% chance of an onshore attack or
01:09planning in the next 12 months. It does not mean that we have intelligence about
01:14a current attack planning or an expectation of an imminent attack.
01:18Decisions of this kind are not taken quickly or easily.