Terror threat in Australia elevated to ‘likely’ due to increasing radicalization among youth

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the nation’s terror threat level has been raised from “possible” to “probable.”

This announcement was made on Aug. 5, accompanied by Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director-general Mike Burgess and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.

Security officials have investigated eight incidents in Australia for alleged terrorism or potential terrorist connections.

Although concerns have been heightened due to conflict in the Middle East, this is not the sole reason for the increased alert level.

The last time Australia’s terror threat level was raised to “probable” was in 2014 during the emergence of the Islamic State.

Albanese mentioned that the national security committee met on Monday morning to discuss this change.

“Probable does not mean inevitable or indicate imminent threat or danger, but based on the advice we’ve received, more Australians are adopting a variety of extreme ideologies,” he stated in Canberra.

“Governments worldwide are troubled by youth radicalisation, online radicalisation, and the emergence of new diverse ideologies.”

This announcement follows two significant stabbing incidents in Australia, including the Bondi Junction Stabbings in April, where 40-year-old Joel Cauchi killed six people at the Westfield Bondi Junction plaza in New South Wales (NSW).

Although the incident was not classified as a terror attack due to the attacker’s lack of ties to a specific ideology and his mental illness, it sparked widespread concern and fear among Australians.

The police shot Cauchi dead at the scene.

Just two days after this incident, Sydney Bishop Mari Emmanuel was stabbed in a terror attack while delivering a service at the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, NSW.

Emmanuel lost an eye in the attack, and two other men were injured.

The 16-year-old attacker of the bishop was charged with a terrorist act.

Burgess commented on the heightened alert level, mentioning an increase in anti-authority beliefs and a decline in trust in democratic institutions.

“This trend escalated during COVID, gained further momentum following the terrorist attacks in Israel, and intensified during Israel’s military response,” he added.

“The conflict in the Middle East has exacerbated grievances, spurred protests, deepened divisions, undermined social cohesion, and elevated intolerance.”

Burgess noted that lone attackers with basic weapons in crowded or public places are the most probable threats.

There is also widespread concern regarding the merger of different extremist beliefs resulting in hybrid ideologies, with numerous youths being radicalised.

“Extremist ideologies, conspiracies, and misinformation are thriving in the online environment, making young Australians particularly susceptible,” Burgess explained.

Anyone with concerns about suspicious behavior can contact the National Security Hotline at 1800 123 400 or email [email protected]