Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged Australians to maintain their “irrepressible optimism” in the face of “hostile actors” intent on undermining our democracy.
The PM delivered his warning in a speech covering the national security threats confronting Australia in an “increasingly challenging” global environment at the annual Tom Hughes Oration.
The event is named after former Liberal politician Tom Hughes – one of the last parliamentarians to serve in the Second World War.
Mr Morrison called on the nation to be inspired by previous generations in confronting today's modern threats of terrorism and online attacks.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks at the Tom Hughes Oration. Source: Supplied
“The global environment is increasingly challenging – and there are serious threats. A range of hostile actors is intent on undermining our democracy in numerous ways,” he said on Wednesday night.
He cited the dangers of terrorism, malicious cyber activities, interference in institutions and attacks on "the comfortable bonds that exist between us all”.
“The threats we face have shifted significantly and they will intensify as we become more connected and we need to keep responding in this way,” he said.
In his speech, the prime minister flagging a new cyber-security strategy that would be implemented next year alongside an additional $156 million to grow Australia’s cyber-security workforce to combat such threats.
Cyber-crime affected almost one in three adults last year and cyber incidents annually cost Australian businesses billion, Mr Morrison said.
Turning to terrorism, Mr Morrison said security agencies had disrupted 16 major terrorist plots since raising the national threat level five years ago.
Former Liberal politician Tom Hughes. Source: Supplied
“We must remind ourselves of why Daesh is a threat to the world – and those who fight or have fought with them is a threat to everything we hold dear," he said, using another name for IS or the so-called Islamic State.
"I am resolute about calling out extremism in whatever shape or form it may present itself."
But the prime minister warned the danger posed by extremist groups remained constant even with the territorial defeat of IS and the US military’s assassination of IS leader Abu Bakir Al-Bagdadi this month.
“Threat of terrorism, of course, remains a very real concern,” he said.
“Homegrown terrorist cells and lone wolves and returning foreign fighters all continue to pose risks – we’re doing everything we can to combat this."
Praising Australia as the “most successful immigration and multicultural nation” in the world he said people must be resolute in calling out extremism.
“Extremists always target difference – and seek to scapegoat others," he said.
"Sadly we live in a world where religious institutions and places of worship are being targeted.”
He cited this year’s Christchurch terrorist attack on Mosques during Friday prayers, the “Easter Sunday massacre” in churches in Sri Lanka and an attack on a synagogue in Pittsburgh as examples of such extremism.
The PM explaining in the case of the Christchurch terrorist attack – the alleged shooter “weaponised” the internet to live-stream the attack online.
“We cannot let [the internet] become an ungoverned space – where terrorists plan and broadcast attack,” he said
“We are … committed to tackling the terrorist and violent extremist threat that acts to exploit the internet for these evil purposes,” he said.
The Morrison government has taken a direct role in pushing global action against the threat posed by online radicalisation and extremism.
At this year's G20 summit, Mr Morrison convinced all leaders of the world’s major economies to agree to take action to combat the increasing problem.
“That sent a very clear message that the biggest economies in the world were not going to tolerate large internet-based companies allowing their technology to be weaponised by terrorists,” Mr Morrison said.
Australia also set up a task force to combat terrorism and extreme violent material online following the Christchurch terrorist attacks.
