With its emphasis on the implementation of tighter immigration controls on people suspected of sympathising with or supporting extremists, Tony Abbott's national security statement has been criticised as an over-reaction likely to engender further resentment and alienation among elements of Australia's Muslim community. Aspects of Mr Abbott's statement, particularly his exhortation for Parliament not to stand in the way of the government's data retention bill, might be characterised by some as an unwarranted attempt to broaden ASIO's surveillance powers and an invasion of privacy. Others may ponder whether "new programs to challenge terrorist propaganda and to provide alternative online material based on Australian values" are simply window-dressing. In the main, however, the Prime Minister's statement is a sensible, measured response to various deficiencies in the ability of security and border protection agencies to either screen out individuals intent on coming to Australia under false pretenses, or to deter Australian citizens who place their loyalty to Islamic extremism ahead of their loyalty to their country and its values.
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Those shortcomings, particularly in regard to the ease with which Islamic State sympathisers have been able to leave Australia to fight in Syria, have been known to government for some time. The ability of foreigners of questionable background to inveigle their way into Australia, then apply for and be given a protection visa, residency, citizenship and welfare entitlements is not unusual, but rarely rates a mention in public discourse. However, the failure to sufficiently safeguard the privilege of Australian citizenship was thrown into sharp relief last December when it was revealed that Man Haron Monis, the man responsible for the Martin Place siege, had come to Australia under false pretenses but gained permanent residency and citizenship regardless. The failures were not all the Department of Immigration's either. ASIO investigated Monis soon after his arrival in Australia from Iran in 1996, recommending he not be granted a protection visa. But for reasons not explained, the recommendation was ignored, and the Iranian secured his visa in 2002. Monis's vexatious behaviour meant that he remained ever after on ASIO's radar, though inexplicably the agency seems never to have rated him among the top 400 people regarded as high priority counter-terrorism investigations, even after he pleaded guilty to postal service offences and was charged with criminal offences by NSW police.
It's thought Man Haron Monis's hostage-taking may have been provoked by mental instability rather than by any particular sympathy for Islamic State. But it was the brazen manner of his arrival and the calculated cynicism of his activities thereafter that provoked greater public consternation. Mr Abbott's decision to set the bar for entry far higher for those with security concerns may be at odds with the generally welcoming attitude that Australia has extended to immigrants in the past. But, as the Prime Minister remarked on Monday, there are trade-offs between the rights of an individual and the safety of a community. In any case, citizenship that demands real commitment and loyalty will always be more valued than citizenship handed out casually.
Mr Abbott's intention that Australians who travel to Syria to fight for IS should have their citizenship and passports potentially revoked has attracted similar criticism, though those alleging it is an unnecessary erosion of democratic rights ignore the fact that only holders of dual citizenship will be affected. More concerning perhaps is the prime minister's cheer-leading for the government's data retention bill. Data retention has been demonstrated to play a vital role in keeping track of the movements of IS sympathisers. However, privacy concerns about data storage remain, and the government needs to address these by listening to people and dispelling their fears rather than brow-beating them in the name of national security.
The enhanced terrorism advocacy laws outlined on Monday will need strong and effective promotion to be most effective. This will not be easy given the willingness of IS and its sympathisers to stir up resentment and feelings of victim-hood among alienated and isolated people. However, Mr Abbott has belled the cat by pointing out the need for Muslim leaders not only to describe Islam as "a religion of peace" more often, but to mean it.
