The threat level has been raised due to an increased risk of politically motivated violence.
The threat level has been raised due to an increased risk of politically motivated violence.
Australia’s terrorism threat level has been raised from possible to probable due to an increased risk of politically motivated violence.
While it has not been raised due to one specific incident, it is understood security officials have investigated eight incidents in Australia for alleged terrorism or possible terrorist links.
The conflict in the Middle East is also understood to have exacerbated concerns among security agencies about politically motivated violence in Australia, although it is not the direct cause of the threat level rising.
It’s the first time the threat level has been raised since 2014, during the height of threats from terrorist group Islamic State.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he had not been advised there was a greater risk of threats such as politically related violence in this country.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the national security committee met on Monday morning to discuss the change.
“Probable does not mean inevitable and it does not mean there 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,” he told reporters in Canberra.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo / Getty Images
“Governments around the world are concerned about youth radicalisation, online radicalisation and the rise of new mixed ideologies.”
Asio director-general Mike Burgess said more Australians were embracing more extreme ideologies and using violence to achieve their ends.
“Politically motivated violence now joins espionage and foreign interference as our principal security concerns.
“Unfortunately, here and overseas, we are seeing spikes in political polarisation and intolerance and civil debate and un-peaceful protests.”
Burgess said anti-authority beliefs were also growing, along with a decline in trust in democratic institutions.
“This trend increased during Covid, gained further momentum after the terrorist attacks in Israel and accelerated during Israel’s military response.
“The (Middle East) conflict has fuelled grievances, promoted protest, exacerbated division, undermined social cohesion and elevated intolerance.”
There were also concerns of multiple extremist beliefs being combined to create hybrid ideologies.
The director-general said lone actors were the most likely style of terror attack, often using rudimentary weapons in a crowded or public place.
Burgess also noted a large number of young people were being radicalised.
“Extremist ideologies, conspiracies, misinformation are flourishing in the online ecosystem and young Australians are particularly vulnerable,” he said.
A New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) spokesperson said the national terrorism threat level is low. This means a terrorist attack remains a realistic possibility.
“The Threat Level is under continuous review, and could change at any time,” they said
The National Terrorism Threat Level last changed in November 2022 when it went from MEDIUM to LOW.
The threat level in New Zealand was lifted to “High” on the day of the Christchurch Mosque attack in March 2019.
It was then lowered to “Medium” around a month later, which was then dropped to “Low” in November 2022.
“The assessment and threat level in New Zealand is specific to what security agencies see in New Zealand,” said the NZSIS spokesperson.
“Agencies remain connected to like-minded partners like Australia to understand impacts on the New Zealand threat environment.”
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Mfat) told the Herald there were no plans to change New Zealand’s travel advice level for Australia in response to the raising of the terrorism threat level there.
“New Zealanders in Australia are advised to remain vigilant about their personal security and take sensible precautions. They should follow instructions issued by local authorities,” an Mfat spokesperson said.
