Terror history didn’t stop Brighton killer Yacqub Khayre getting parole

A TERROR plot to attack an army barracks was taken into consideration by the parole board before it released Brighton killer Yacqub Khayre.

A police officer standing guard outside the Buckingham Serviced Apartments in Brighton. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

A SICKENING terror plot to attack a Sydney army barracks was taken into consideration by Victoria’s Adult Parole Board before it released Brighton killer Yacqub Khayre.

Khayre was acquitted of accusations he was part of the plan to massacre people at the Holsworthy Barracks in 2009. Three other people were convicted.

But the Herald Sun can reveal those accusations were still taken into account when Khayre was given parole for aggravated burglary and theft offences late last year.

“The previous charges laid against this individual — including those where he had been acquitted — were taken into account by the Adult Parole Board,” a Corrections Victoria spokesman said.

The revelation comes after a political firestorm erupted over whether Khayre should have been free when he killed a man, shot three police and took a woman hostage in bayside Brighton on Monday.

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Yacqub Khayre walked free from the County Court in Melbourne after a not guilty finding in a terrorism trial.

Police used explosive device detectors following the Brighton siege. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Forensics with evidence at the scene. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ignited political attacks by saying there were “grave questions” about why the terrorist was given parole, as he vowed to make the issue a priority at this week’s meeting of governments.

Premier Daniel Andrews said Khayre had been eligible for release from prison, and met the conditions set for him.

The premier was savaged by Opposition Leader Matthew Guy who shouted in State Parliament: “You are weak and you should resign.”

In a day of drama, Corrections Minister Gayle Tierney revealed that up to 22 other prisoners, parolees or criminal extremists were undergoing Islamic anti-radicalisation programs.

Premier Daniel Andrews said today parole decisions involving people on terror watchlists should be a “national issue” and have the involvement of ASIO and federal police.

He said he will take a proposal to COAG on Friday that parole decisions relating to people with terror links should involve the Commonwealth.

“I want ASIO and the Australian Federal Police not just to be providing advice, but to be directly involved in any decision to grant parole to anybody on that watch list,” Mr Andrews told ABC News.

“We need to make sure all of our agencies aren’t just sharing information, but sharing responsibility to keep Australians safe.”

Khayre, 29, was released on parole on December 8 last year after serving four years and seven months for a string of offences including aggravated burglary and theft.

It is understood he did not breach conditions of his release, which included passing drug and alcohol testing.

The parole board last night said its “paramount consideration for all parole decisions is the safety and protection of the community”.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: Mark Stewart

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Mr Guy accused the premier of failing to bring in tough law-and-order penalties and restrictions, and during a heated Question Time he repeatedly said Mr Andrews should resign.

“The man who committed the Brighton crimes last night has bashed people in their home, carried a knife in to rob them ... why was this man on our streets?” Mr Guy asked.

Labor backbencher Marsha Thompson intervened saying it was a “stupid question”, leading to howls of condemnation from Coalition MPs.

Mr Andrews said police would “thoroughly investigate” and “if there are any learnings from any element of this act of terror then the government stands ready to make those changes”.

Inside the courtyard of the apartments where there appears to be bullet holes in the wall. Picture: Alex Coppel

Ms Tierney said she had ordered a review into “Corrections Victoria’s management of the offender, both in prison and while he was on parole”.

Earlier in the day, Mr Turnbull said Khayre had been charged with a terrorist offence and acquitted, had connections with extremists and was a known violent offender.

“How was he on parole?” he said. “The same question was asked about Man Monis, you will recall.”

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said his first reaction was: “If we know the person is a criminal, what are they doing out on the streets?”

PRESSURE ON PM TO BEEF UP SECURITY

Rob Harris and Tom Minear

MALCOLM Turnbull is being urged by government MPs to bring the leading intelligence and security agencies under a single national portfolio in the wake of a fresh string of terror attacks against westerners.

The Prime Minister stepped up his attack on Islamic terrorism yesterday, vowing Australians would be “constantly vigilant” and “always defiant” against the threat of attacks.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Picture: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

But his colleagues have stepped up their push for change at the very top of government by renewing calls for the creation of a new “super security” ministry.

It’s understood Mr Turnbull is more likely to adopt a model aligned with Britain’s Home Office — combining spy agency ASIO and the Australian Federal Police with Border Security responsibilities.

The change would likely strip responsibilities from a number of Cabinet ministers — most notably Attorney-General George Brandis — and merge them with the Immigration portfolio currently held by Peter Dutton.

But a number of Coalition MPs also believe the government must increase its “tough talk” towards radicalised Islamists and told the Herald Sun that Senator Brandis was not up to that task.

Minister for Social Services Christian Porter. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

One MP said: “Pussy-footing around the issue and being politically correct is not going down well in the suburbs of big cities where these things are playing out.”

Many MPs believe Social Services Minister Christian Porter should be moved into the portfolio with Mr Dutton to head the new office.

Senior government sources told the Herald Sun that no proposal was on the table and any change would likely come out of a current review into the intelligence community.

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