Authorities waiting too long to intervene in cases of extremist youth: lawyer
A LAWYER for a man accused of a New Year’s Eve mass murder terror plot says authorities are waiting too long to intervene when they identify youths on a path to extremism.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A LAWYER for a man accused of a New Year’s Eve mass murder terror plot says authorities are waiting too long to intervene when they identify youths on a path to extremism.
Calls for early intervention have been backed by federal MP Jason Wood, a former Victoria Police counter-terrorism officer, who is pushing for laws to help deter would-be jihadis long before there is enough evidence to arrest them.
He said internet restrictions, mandatory deradicalisation and bans on meeting extremists could have deterred Ali Khalif Shire Ali, 20, who is accused of planning to shoot “as many people as he could” at Federation Square.
Police yesterday searched homes in Tarneit, Coolaroo, Glenroy and Berwick.
Mr Wood said the proposed community protection intervention orders would have enabled police to act faster.
“There are certain situations where police know a person (has) extremist views but can’t arrest them because they don’t have enough evidence,” he said.
“The intervention orders will divert people at the earliest possibility so they can get counselling.”
Leaders in Ali’s Somalian community in Melbourne’s west said, had they been alerted to police concerns they could have helped lead him away from radical ideas.
Lawyer Rob Stary said Mr Ali had been on the police radar for two years but no one intervened: “If you can intervene, you can divert a young person from radical ideology.”
Mr Stary said ASIO had previously interviewed Ali and offered money for information.
“They should have said ‘what are you doing? Move away from this radical ideology’.’’
Mr Wood said there were currently no mandatory programs for countering violent extremism in Australia.
The state government is believed to be considering the proposed laws.
Under the changes, police would apply to the courts for orders which would require terror suspects to undergo mandatory deradicalisation programs or stop communicating with extremists online.
Those found in breach of the conditions would face imprisonment.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Danielle Fleeton said: “Victoria Police welcomes the recommendations made in the Harper Lay report released this month. We’ll be working with the Government over the coming months to explore all recommendations further – including the introduction of Support and Engagement Orders.
“These orders will enable police to apply for a Court order requiring a person displaying behaviours indicative of radicalisation and violence to participate in disengagement programs.”