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Just when @ScottMorrisonMP thought he had the extreme views under control in his party, Multiculturalism Minister @AlexHawkeMP has rejected the advice of ASIO, AFP and Dept of Home Affairs that right wing extremism is on the rise .
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Right-wing extremism had been in "ASIO's sights for some time", but obviously come into "sharp, terrible focus" following the Chrischurch massacre.
Those were the words of @MikePBurgess giving @ASIOGovAU’s annual threat assessment last February.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-24/asio-director-general-mike-burgess-neo-nazi-threat-rising/11994178#:~:text=Far%20right-wing%20groups%20are%20now%20more%20organised%20and,of%20the%20world.%20The%20crippling%20unclicked%20email%20hack
Those were the words of @MikePBurgess giving @ASIOGovAU’s annual threat assessment last February.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-24/asio-director-general-mike-burgess-neo-nazi-threat-rising/11994178#:~:text=Far%20right-wing%20groups%20are%20now%20more%20organised%20and,of%20the%20world.%20The%20crippling%20unclicked%20email%20hack
ASIO later confirmed that its investigations of right-wing extremism has doubled from 10-15% of its counter-terrorism caseload before 2016, to up to 40 percent now.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/sep/22/asio-reveals-up-to-40-of-its-counter-terrorism-cases-involve-far-right-violent-extremism
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/sep/22/asio-reveals-up-to-40-of-its-counter-terrorism-cases-involve-far-right-violent-extremism
ASIO also says COVID restrictions are being exploited by right-wing extremists that paint the state as oppressive, and that the COVID pandemic has reinforced an extreme right-wing belief in the inevitability of societal collapse and a 'race war' https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-12/asio-briefing-warns-far-right-is-exploiting-coronavirus/12344472
The @AusFedPolice also warned that young Australians are being aggressively radicalised online and that right-wing extremism is increasing and they, "see it as a real and ongoing threat … so for us it is an increasing workload."
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/young-australians-are-being-aggressively-radicalised-through-right-wing-extremism-federal-police-warn
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/young-australians-are-being-aggressively-radicalised-through-right-wing-extremism-federal-police-warn
And, as recently as Tuesday, Department of Home Affairs Secretary, Mike Pezzullo confirmed that right wing extremism is on the rise on @SkyNewsAust with @ljayes
https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6228151022001
https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6228151022001
But, @AlexHawkeMP says the Govt "rejects the thesis" that right wing extremism is rising, and that people are "over-emphasising" the rise of right wing extremism.
It was only a matter of time before newly-minted Multiculturalism Minister showed his true colours by denying the rise of right-wing extremism as he did on @skynewsaust this morning.
The test for the @ScottMorrisonMP now is will he haul @AlexHawkeMP into his office like he did with @CraigKellyMP ?
Or will he let his Minister continue to contradict @ASIOGovAu, @AusFedPolice and Dept of Home Affairs?
Or will he let his Minister continue to contradict @ASIOGovAu, @AusFedPolice and Dept of Home Affairs?
Labor takes seriously the advice of national security agencies.
That’s why we successfully pushed for an inquiry into right wing extremism by the Intelligence & Security Committee.
Labor will always act to keep Australians safe.
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Intelligence_and_Security/ExtremistMovements
That’s why we successfully pushed for an inquiry into right wing extremism by the Intelligence & Security Committee.
Labor will always act to keep Australians safe.
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Intelligence_and_Security/ExtremistMovements
