Australia news live: Asio chief warns antisemitism royal commission he is seeing ‘more permission for violence’
Australia news live: Asio chief warns antisemitism royal commission he is seeing ‘more permission for violence’
Australia news live - Following the Bondi terror attack, the national threat level for terrorism remains at the ‘upper end of probable’ according to Mike Burgess, the head of Australia’s Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). Burgess, appearing before a royal commission, highlighted that the current security climate has intensified since the threat was upgraded to ‘probable’ in 2024. This classification implies a greater than 50% chance that an individual might plan and execute an act of terror. He noted that the Middle East conflict had previously triggered a spectrum of emotions among Australians, which in turn led to the normalization of antisemitic behaviors if not monitored closely.
“The temperature is higher now than when we raised the threat level to probable in 2024,” Burgess stated. “What we saw then—antisemitism left unchecked—was normalised and provided more permission for violence through 2023 and into August [2024].”
Burgess emphasized that the current environment is “concerning” and “getting hotter,” suggesting a potential increase in the risk of attacks. However, he clarified that the next level of threat requires specific intelligence indicating a planned act of terrorism. “We’re on the upper end of probable,” he said, “but the next level up means we need evidence of a plan and a location.”
During the commission’s proceedings, Burgess also addressed the role of ASIO in monitoring potential security threats. He stated that the agency continues to allocate resources to areas where the risk is most acute, including investigating individuals with possible ties to Iran and its Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). When asked if Australians could be assured that ASIO had the necessary powers and capacity to tackle antisemitic conduct, Burgess replied with confidence: “I believe they can.”
Parliamentary session highlights
As the live session progressed, the focus shifted to the budget debate. Environment Minister Murray Watt faced scrutiny over a proposed national environmental standard aimed at protecting threatened species and world heritage areas. Critics had argued that the draft standard diluted key protections, but Watt and his department dismissed these claims. “We reject the idea that the proposed standard contradicts an outcomes-based approach,” Watt asserted, insisting that the plan aligns with the goal of reversing the decline of natural ecosystems.
“What we’ve put forward reflects an outcomes-based approach,” Watt said. “Let me explain a little. The new standards are meant to turn around the decline in nature by specifying...”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese engaged with Treasurer Jim Chalmers in a spirited exchange. Albanese highlighted the government’s efforts to support housing construction through its schemes, describing the changes as “pro aspiration and pro supply.” He also issued a subtle warning to Taylor, urging him to remain vigilant against political rivalries. “Perhaps he might like to speak to the next leader of the Liberal party, who said this: I feel the anger regularly from young Australians who feel locked out of the housing market,” Albanese added, “red hot anger, frustration, also a sense of despair that they can’t get a stake in the country, that they can’t afford a home again.”
“We’ve got to listen to what they say,” Albanese continued. “Good advice from the member for Canning. You might like to watch him just behind you.”
As the session neared the end, the focus turned to the political dynamics within parliament. Queensland’s corrective services minister, Laura Gerber, announced a significant shift in the state’s parole policies. Her press conference on Monday revealed plans to broaden restrictions on prisoners serving life sentences, extending the ban on parole to include all individuals sentenced to life imprisonment. This change would allow for up to 10 additional years of incarceration for such prisoners, surpassing the previous framework that only barred those convicted of multiple murders or child killings.
Gerber explained that the existing rules were “narrow,” limiting parole eligibility to specific categories of offenders. “We are expanding that framework,” she said, “so now anyone sentenced to life imprisonment can be held behind bars for up to 10 more years longer.” This expansion, however, was not part of the 46 recommendations from the independent review of the state’s parole board, which had been released earlier in the week.
Political tensions and public sentiment
Amid the parliamentary discussions, the atmosphere grew charged with political undertones. Albanese’s comments about leadership rival Andrew Hastie underscored the ongoing tensions within the government. “We’ve got to listen to what they say,” he reiterated, pointing to the frustrations of young Australians struggling to access affordable housing. “Good advice from the member for Canning. You might like to watch him just behind you.”
Gerber’s announcement of expanded parole bans was met with mixed reactions. While the move aims to address concerns about public safety, critics argue it could limit opportunities for rehabilitation. The new restrictions will apply to all prisoners serving life sentences, including those who might have committed non-violent offenses. This decision follows a growing debate over the balance between punishment and reintegration, particularly in light of recent events that have heightened fears of domestic extremism.
As the session drew to a close, the live coverage captured the shifting priorities of Australian politics. From security threats to housing affordability, the discourse reflected the nation’s evolving challenges. With the royal commission examining the rise in antisemitism and the parliamentary floor echoing with debates on economic policy, the day’s events underscored the complex interplay of national and local governance in shaping Australia’s future.