Dutton calls for probe into terror plot intelligence fail

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called for an independent assessment of an “unsettling” communications breakdown between state and federal leaders over a foiled terror plot that could have resulted in mass casualties.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Melbourne at the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse Lunar New Year Festival & Parade. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called for an independent assessment of a communications breakdown between state and federal leaders over a foiled terror plot, labelling it “unsettling” and questioning the strength of the country’s national security.

Questions remained unanswered on Saturday as to why Anthony Albanese was not made aware of the discovery of a caravan laden with explosives – along with addresses of Jewish sites – until nine days after the disturbing find.

The foiled plot, which could have resulted in a mass casualty event, comes amid soaring anti -Semitism across the country.

Mr Dutton and Mr Albanese both appeared at a Lunar New Year festival in Box Hill, spruiking Australia-China relations and announcing funding to help win over the 1.4 million Chinese living in Australia ahead of the federal election.

At the event, the Liberal Leader called for Mr Albanese to “appoint an eminent Australian from the law enforcement and intelligence community” to assess how the communication pipeline “failed”.

Multicultural Affairs Minister Ingrid Stitt attended on behalf of Premier Jacinta Allan. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese talked up China-Australia relations during his visit to Melbourne on Saturday. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

It came after former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and security experts blasted the “alarming breakdown” as a “shocking failure of leadership extending right to the top” after it was revealed Mr Albanese was kept in the dark for nine days.

“We’re at a point where we need some transparency for what’s gone wrong here,” Mr Dutton said.

“It’s obvious that he doesn’t have an instinct for, frankly much interest in, the National Security picture of our country.

“If he did, he would have been getting day by day, hour by hour, updates from the Australian Federal Police Commissioner from the other agencies.”

Mr Dutton made the comments during a press conference, after Mr Albanese refused to answer questions as reporters chased him to his car.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton attended a Lunar New Year event in Box Hill on Saturday. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

“The Prime Minister can’t just continue to cut and run and be chased by cameras and refuse to answer reasonable questions,” he said.

Mr Albanese, who said it was in China’s “interest for us to be great friends”, announced $150,000 for the popular Lunar New Year festival on Saturday.

Mr Dutton, in a bid to one-up the Prime Minister, pledged $250,000 to the festival under a Coalition government and a new memorial sculpture recognising the service and sacrifice of Chinese Australian soldiers.

The opposition leader said he was confident he could win back Chinese voters, many of whom turned their backs on the former Morrison government.

“The Prime Minister (Anthony Albanese) made it so much harder for small businesses, and we know people who have a great interest in business here today … particularly from Chinese backgrounds, who want to work hard,” he said.

“They are the values of the Liberal Party, and that’s why I believe that we can win a number of seats.”

Chinese Australians make up 16.5 per cent of voters in Menzies, which includes the suburb of Box Hill.

More than a dozen politicians from across the political spectrum, both state and federal, including his Victorian counterpart Brad Battin and federal Teal MP Monique Ryan, attended the event.

Multicultural Affairs Minister Ingrid Stitt appeared on behalf of Premier Jacinta Allan.

Originally published as Dutton calls for probe into terror plot intelligence fail