Australia's national terrorism threat level elevated to 'probable'

ASIO raised the nation's terror threat level in response to the growing number of Australians embracing extremist ideologies.

Transcript

00:00Asia has decided to return Australia's national terrorism threat level from possible to probable.

00:08I want to reassure Australians, probable does not mean inevitable and it does not mean there

00:15is intelligence about an imminent threat or danger.

00:19But the advice that we've received is that more Australians are embracing a more diverse

00:24range of extreme ideologies and it is our responsibility to be vigilant.

00:31To be clear, this is the same threat level that was in place in Australia for more than

00:38eight years before it was lowered in November of 2022.

00:43Our decision reflects a degrading security environment.

00:48A threat level of probable means we assess there is a greater than 50% chance of an onshore

00:53attack or planning in the next 12 months.

00:57It does not mean that we have intelligence about a current attack planning or an expectation

01:01of an imminent attack.

01:04Decisions of this kind are not taken quickly or easily.

01:07The subject matter experts in the National Threat Assessment Centre use intelligence

01:11and employ structured analytical techniques to test, retest and contest their assumptions.

01:18Our decision is not a direct response to the tragic events in the Middle East.

01:23At this stage, we do not believe any of the terrorist plots we have investigated in the

01:27last year have been inspired by Gaza.

01:31Terrorist leaders offshore are not inspiring attacks onshore.

01:35This is why we did not raise the threat level in the immediate aftermath of 7 October.

01:41Indirectly though, there have been important and relevant impacts.

01:45The conflict has fuelled grievances, promoted protest, exacerbated division, undermined

01:51social cohesion and elevated intolerance.

01:55After 7 October, I warned that inflamed language could lead to inflamed community tensions.

02:01Unfortunately, this is what is playing out.

02:05Because of these complex dynamics, it would also be inaccurate to suggest the next terrorist

02:09attack or plot is likely to be motivated by a twisted view of a particular religion or

02:15a particular ideology.

02:17The threat is across the board.

02:20In the last 4 months, there have been 8 attacks or disruptions that have either involved alleged

02:25terrorism or have been investigated as potential acts of terrorism.

02:31It's important to put this in context though.

02:34The threats I'm describing are significant but not insurmountable.

02:38Probable does not mean inevitable.

02:41Australians should be aware but not afraid.

02:44If you believe a person you know is going down a dark extremist path, please talk to

02:49someone or call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.