Greens leader Christine Milne wants a cohesion agency to stop radicals

AUSTRALIA needs an agency to develop a comprehensive strategy to stop Muslims becoming radicalised, says Christine Milne.

AUSTRALIA needs a new agency to develop a strategy to stop Muslims becoming radicalised, says Greens leader Christine Milne.

Senator Milne said the Greens would soon introduce a bill for an independent Australian Centre for Social Cohes­ion to develop pro­grams to ensure the community stayed tolerant and inclusive.

It would oversee the development and implementation of preventive programs to combat social exclusion and bring together government and law-enforcement agencies, members of the public, academics and former extremists to distribute knowledge and foster dialogue on violent extremism.

“Prevention is much better than cure when it comes to keeping us all safe from risks associated with terrorism,” she said.

Senator Milne said the government had slashed funding from the four-year Countering Violent Extremism grants program, intended to stop Australians becoming radicalised in the first place.

“Research and experience over the years has proven that violent extremism is best dealt with by civil-society groups, in co-ordin­­ation and consultation with government and law-enforcement agencies,” she said. “Countering violent extremism through early intervention and … engagement represents a smarter approach.”