Christchurch shooting: copycat mosque threat shameful, Daniel Andrews says

Daniel Andrews has condemned threats made by a self-professed Christchurch copycat to kill worshippers at a Geelong mosque.

The Manifold Heights mosque in Geelong.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has described online threats to kill worshippers at a Geelong mosque as “absolutely shameful”.

The threats were made by a self-professed Christchurch massacre “copycat” on a social media site on Sunday evening.

The police counter-terror taskforce has launched an investigation into the anonymous post, which threatened a mass shooting at the Manifold Heights mosque in Geelong’s northwest.

“That’s absolutely shameful and again, we send our best wishes to the Islamic community down in Geelong,” Mr Andrews said.

“It would have been very, very difficult to have to deal with that, but I want to reassure every Victorian regardless of their faith background that Victoria Police take all threats to our safety very seriously, and they have both the resources and the capability, the budget and the government’s support to make sure they do everything possible to keep Victoria safe.

“We can be proud of Victoria Police and the partnerships they have with ASIO, the AFP and some of our international partners as well, but that was a shameful thing, and our thoughts are with those who would have been obviously distressed by that, but hopefully they’ve been comforted by the fact that Victoria Police have responded so quickly.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: Tim Carrafa

The threat was made hours after thousands of Geelong locals flocked to the church-turned-mosque at Manifold Heights to commemorate the 50 people killed by white supremacist Brenton Tarrant in Christchurch on Friday.

Referring to Geelong, the poster wrote: “Yes I am a copy cat I will be visiting the mosque and kill as many invaders as I can in the time I get I will then shoot myself in front of police”.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed police attended the Bostock Avenue place of worship on Sunday after being alerted to reports of the post.

“Police attended the mosque last night and conducted checks with the area deemed safe, before the mosque was closed for the evening shortly after 6.30pm,” the spokeswoman said.

“Local police have reached out to leaders from within the mosque community and will also ensure an increased police presence in and around the area.”

A condolence motion in honour of the Christchurch victims will be moved ahead of Question Time in Victorian Parliament this afternoon.