Terrorist attack: When, not if
VICTORIA’S top cop says that a terrorist attack on police officers is as likely as an attack on the Jewish community.
VICTORIA’S top cop says that a terrorist attack on police officers is as likely as an attack on the Jewish community.
Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Graham Ashton told those at the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) plenum on Monday night that there will be another terrorist attack in Australia. “It’s a question of when, not if,” he said.
He was asked if the attack would be directed at the Jewish community.
“I don’t think it’s more likely to be the Jewish community based on what I see,” Ashton said.
“I think it’s just as likely to be a police officer as much as a member of the Jewish community. The sort of messages that are going out from these groups are around attacking the government of officials of the government.”
He told the community to remain alert, but not alarmed.
“Certainly at the moment, the level of threat across the community is commensurate, rather than focused on any one element.”
Ashton said that police have to adapt and move with the times.
He said that terrorism is something that is not going away any time soon as a threat to the Australian community and it remains a “present threat”. He also said that, due to the conflict in Syria and the use of social media, the threat has been ramped up in Australia.
“As a propaganda tool, the online media has been effective. It’s a very sad thing, but the beheading videos were very effective as marketing tools.”
The chief commissioner said that the police need to work with the community.
“If you look overseas, some of the good models out there include parents, social workers and parts of government being involved.”
Reflecting on the recent anti-Islamic rallies in Bendigo on the weekend and across the country recently, Ashton said the community is at a crossroads. He said that multiculturalism in Victoria is “part of the fabric of society” but it is under threat.
“Effective multiculturalism and a cohesive society isn’t something that just happens naturally.
“It requires people to listen to the views of others, to be interested in lifestyles, be interested in religious beliefs, be interested in cultural differences and be interested to make the effort to know more about each other.
“That leads to acceptance and celebration of each other’s culture.
“It has been under threat in previous years and Victorians have always risen to the occasion.”
JOSHUA LEVI
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