TRANSCRIPT
There are growing fears of ideological and religious extremism worldwide.
But the Australian government now says it's reached levels said to compromise national security.
Mike Burgess, the Director General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation describes Australia's security environment as one that is "degrading".
“You've heard me say many time that espionage and foreign interference are our principal security concerns. ASIO's intelligence suggests that is no longer accurate. While the threats to our way of life remain elevated, we are seeing an increase in extremism. More Australian are being radicalised and radicalised more quickly. More Australians are embracing a more diverse range of extreme ideologies and more Australians are willing to use violence to advance their cause.”
Australia's domestic spy agency has raised the official terror alert threat level from "possible" to "probable".
It was last at that level in 2014, then downgraded in 2022.
Mr Albanese has issued a message of reassurance.
“I want to reassure Australians probable does not mean inevitable and it does not mean it is intelligence about an imminent threat or danger. But the advice that we've received is that more Australians are embracing a more diverse range of extreme ideologies and it is our responsibility to be vigilant.”
But it does mean a more than 50 per cent chance of an onshore attack or planning in the next year, most likely perpetrated by a lone actor using a rudimentary weapon.
Just in the last four months, security agencies have disrupted eight incidents that involved alleged terrorism or were investigated as potential acts.
Social media is making it easier for divisions to deepen, with security agencies especially worried about younger men.
This is Justin Bassi from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
“We are seeing an increase in anti-authority ideology that covers a range of issues, whether it be issues like vaccines, economic prosperity, pro-Palestinian protests, the protests against those protests, we're seeing increased division in society. There is clearly a concern that ASIO has, that instead of just being lawful, legal, non-violent protests there is an increased risk that a minority of people are going to turn those protests into violent ones.”
Mr Albanese has laid a portion of blame on his political opponents for ASIO's decision.
He says politicians need to be doing all they can to maintain a healthy, honest and productive discourse.
“My message to political leaders is that words matter, and it is important that people engage in a way that is respectful, that people don't make claims that they know are not right in order to try to secure some short-term political advantage. Which is what we have seen.”
His comments follow repeated attacks on the Greens over their vocal support for pro-Palestinian protests and their claims that the government is still providing Israel with weapons and ammunition for their deadly air bombardment of Gaza.
The government has consistently denied this, despite a lack of defence transparency.
Greens Senator David Shoebridge has responded to Mr Albanese's comments in a statement, calling it "deeply irresponsible" to use this opportunity to, as he put it, "air his political grievances".
ASIO's Director General has stressed the rise in extremism ranges from across the political and ideological spectrum.
“Our decision is not a direct response to the tragic events in the Middle East. At this stage we do not believe any of the terrorist plots we have investigated in the last year have been inspired by Gaza. Terrorist leaders offshore are not inspiring attacks onshore. This is why we didn't raise the threat level in the immediate aftermath of the 7th of October.”
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has supported the advice.
“I would just encourage people please to heed the advice from Mike Burgess, because we do live in a precarious time. The national security risks that we have because of our values and what we believe in will always be there and we need to make sure that every support is provided to ASIO and I'll make sure that we do that.”
