Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull puts terrorists on notice in New Year’s message

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has warned Islamic terrorists and violent extremists they will be put behind bars if they continue to divide Australians in 2017.

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has warned Islamic terrorists and violent extremists they will be put behind bars if they continue to divide Australians in 2017.

In his New Year’s message, Mr Turnbull put “terrorists” on notice saying our defence force will continue to “combat and destroy them” in Syria and Iraq.

“Those who sought to divide us have failed, just as those who try to divide us in the future will fail,” he said.

“That’s because we remain united in our determination to maintain our Australians values and way of life.”

Mr Turnbull praised Australia’s response to the foiled Melbourne terror plot and said national and economic security will continue to be his priority.

“We refuse to be cowed or frightened and we went about our business, attending Christmas church services — including in one of the locations police believe was a terrorist target — lining up to attend the cricket, shopping in the sales, seeing the new year in,” he said.

“There will be plenty of surprises and challenges in 2017, just as there have been in 2016, but our unique strengths as a nation ensure we are well placed to meet the unexpected and make 2017 a winning year for all Australians.”

Originally published as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull puts terrorists on notice in New Year’s message