Australia terror threat level could go up, says ASIO head David Irvine

[nero_bolt]

AUSTRALIA could soon be put on a higher terrorism threat alert level.

ASIO director-general David Irvine is seriously considering lifting the level from medium because of the number of people returning from fighting in Iraq and Syria.

Security agencies were aware of more than 20 people in Australia who had fought in the Middle East and posed a threat to national security, Mr Irvine told the ABC’s 7.30 Report tonight.

He said the threat to Australia was now “a very elevated level of medium”.

“I’m certainly contemplating very seriously the notion of lifting it higher because of the numbers of people that we are having to be concerned about here in Australia,” he said.

The “medium” threat rating means a terrorist attack could occur in Australia and the “high” level is used when government and agencies believe an attack is likely.

Australia’s four-level alert system goes to extreme, when an attack is imminent or has occurred.

In announcing plans to strengthen anti-terrorism laws in August, Prime Minister Tony Abbott stressed the terrorist threat to Australia had not changed.

Australia has been at the “medium” alert level since the four-tier system was introduced in 2003.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/australia-terror-threat-level-could-go-up-says-asio...

[iapetus_rocks]

I'm more afraid of the govt using the excuse of a possible terrorist attack to launch a further attack on our civil liberties and our freedoms.

[k0llectable5]

What the ... is this “a very elevated level of medium”. fgs give me a break.  So what colour would that be a nice shade of magenta or orangey red on the pie wheel.  

The war on terror is an absolute joke...

[lightningdance]

The terror that is isil is real and present and should be stopped.

A full on agreement by ALL countries inc Arab countries should be working to eradicate this pestilence.

America,  England, Spain, Australians in Bali are the 4  countries who have been attacked by muslim extremists so far, and those attacks were not isil so just imagine the horror this abomination could visit on us and others.

We were witness to a young British soldier being beheaded on an English street and the beheadings of journalists has been going on for ages.

So I am happy to see a coalition  get it together and attack them, degrade them and minimise them,  Obamas words.

[iapetus_rocks]

ISIL is a manifestation or an expression of a religious belief which also incorporates a political ideology, the two being inseparable.

What ya gonna do? We can't bomb them all, nor should we if we believe in democracy and the path of ISIL has broad popular support.

What if we just let them work it out for themselves? It seems to have been shown time and again that intervention from an outside force will need lots of force indeed if if doesn't have the support of the people.

it took a few hundred years for the protestants and the catholics to be able to sit in the same room together without drawing a weapon.

Maybe it will take lots of time but I think that education; the exposure to new ideas will win more converts to reason and tolerance than bombs ever will.

[kilroy_is_here]

The fundamental flaw in your theory is that the very ethos of the groups is to restrict education and different ideas and to persecute those that don't agree with them

[iapetus_rocks]

Yes, I understand that kilroy. Hey, can we "weaponise" education?

But I think that over time, with exposure to the Leviathon which is western culture with its' freedoms and all, that any regime which tries to consign its' people to a life of abject, cowering drabness is ultimately doomed to fail.

Problem is, it's in that modifying word "ultimately". it might take a few hundred more years yet. or less, depending on the new I phone apps? 😉

[softail-joanie]

Looks to me like a fear tactic, all this terror threat level stuff. If Australia is anything like here, then it's police and government that poses the greatest threats to us. Nevermind a threat to our natural rights or freedoms, cops pose a real threat of harm of injury or death to anyone at anytime. All that needs to happen is for them to see someone as a target, for whatever reason from them not likeing them, or just creating more work to justify the need for them, their position or job.

See something say something- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMY3MnkJlM0

Freedom is inevitable- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdxa-TZn4Uw

Bush vs terrorists- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoXgRtDysLY

Selling us on war in iRaq- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw2nkoGLhrE

.

[nero_bolt]

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@flygal.funfactor wrote:

Looks to me like a fear tactic, all this terror threat level stuff. If Australia is anything like here, then it's police and government that poses the greatest threats to us. Nevermind a threat to our natural rights or freedoms, cops pose a real threat of harm of injury or death to anyone at anytime. 

.

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As you are based in the USA I am at a  loss why you have an issue with Australia protecting its self and what your issues are with anything that happens in Australia 

Based in United States, flygal.funfactor has been an eBay member since

[nero_bolt]

Two men face terror charges as police raid Islamic book store at Logan

TWO men will be charged with preparing to send fighters to join the conflict in Syria, aftera year-long counter-terrorism investigation.

AFP National Manager Counter Terrorism Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan confirmed Omar Succarieh was one of the men arrested today.

He said a 31-year-old from Kuraby would be charged with providing funds to terrorist organisation Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/two-men-face-terror-charges-as-police-raid-islamic-boo...

Logan Islamic centre raided by Australian Federal Police

The 31-year-old brother of Australia's first suicide bomber is among two men arrested following an Australian Federal Police raid on an Islamic book store south of Brisbane.

Omar Succarieh of Kuraby and 21-year-old Agim Kruezi from Boronia Heights were taken into custody after police raided iQraa Islamic Centre at Underwood on Wednesday morning, along with eight other addresses.

Both will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday morning, with police expected to oppose bail for the pair.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/logan-islamic-centre-raided-by-australian-federal-police-...

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/logan-islamic-centre-raided-by-australian-federal-police-...