Police confirm that the fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue fire in Ripponlea is being investigated as a terrorist attack.
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00:00We have had a meeting of the National Security Committee along with other meetings that we
00:06normally have on a Monday. As confirmed by authorities an hour and a half ago,
00:13the Melbourne attack will be investigated as a terrorist incident. Our world-class
00:18agencies will provide all the support necessary to find the perpetrators and ensure
00:24they face the full force of the law. Today I can also announce that we have established AFP
00:31Special Operation Averlight for anti-Semitism. This is in response to the attack last Friday
00:38morning that is now the third arson attack after the attack on Josh Burns' electorate office and
00:46the Sydney Willara car incident. This will be a COMWAT-led task force that will work with state
00:52and territory police forces. Firstly I want to acknowledge the referral of the Adas Israel
00:59Synagogue fire attack to the Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team which unlocks the powers
01:05and capabilities of the AFP, ASIO and Victoria Police. The AFP's remit is to protect Australians
01:12and Australia's way of life and for many months the AFP has been discussing how we can better
01:17support our state and territory partners to investigate hate crimes or threats against
01:23vulnerable communities. Unfortunately in Australia today those of Jewish ethnicity or religion are
01:31being targeted because of who they are. The fire of Labor MP Josh Burns' office, the car satellite
01:38in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, the attack on the Melbourne synagogue. This is a crime,
01:45this needs to stop and today the AFP will expand its remit with the support of the Commonwealth
01:51Government. Special Operation Avelite will be an agile and experienced squad of counter-terrorism
01:58investigators who will focus on threats, violence and hatred towards the Australian Jewish community
02:04and parliamentarians. In essence they will be a flying squad to deploy nationally to incidents.
02:11The Commonwealth offences Special Operation Avelite will investigate will include urging
02:18violence against members or groups, advocating terrorism, advocating genocide, using a carriage
02:24service to make a threat and using a carriage service to menace or harass. I want to assure
02:31the Jewish community that the AFP will continue to provide capability and resources to state and
02:37territory police. However from today the AFP will take a greater role. The AFP will not tolerate
02:45crimes that undermine Australia's security or our way of life.