The release of the booklet to help teachers recognise student radicalisation this week is an embarrassing move by the federal government.
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The booklet, Preventing Violent Extremism and Radicalisation in Australia, was launched by the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Counter-Terrorism Michael Keenan on Monday.
He has also written to all state and territory education ministers to encourage them to share and promote the kit in their schools.
The backlash by the public and environmental groups in particular following the launch of the book was strong and in most cases justified.
Most mocked on social media has been the case study – one of only four – in the booklet which appears to draw a link between violent extremism, and alternative music and anti-logging protesters.
Fairfax Media reported on Friday that the authors of the booklet had been taken aback when it was launched because they had not intended it to be distributed to schools.
There are some valid messages in the booklet and the government is right to be concerned about the recruitment of Australians to extremist terror groups.
However, the reaction by the public to the release of the booklet shows the decision to launch it and promote it in schools was misguided.
It would be wise for the ACT government to lock the booklets in the Legislative Assembly where they will not see the light of day.
Reading between the lines Education Minister Joy Burch's response appears to be a polite "we've got this, thanks".
It is not hard to draw a parallel with former Prime Minister John Howard's ridiculed "be alert but not alarmed" campaign in 2003.
The $15 million anti-terrorism campaign was criticised for not actually telling people what suspicious activity they should be looking for to report to the terror hotline and for creating a climate of fear in the country.
Recently the federal government under the leadership of Tony Abbott created a similar feeling of fear and its Border Force is changing the way people see Australia on the world stage.
It is hoped the new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will not seek to continue pushing the terror message but instead remind people to be alert but not alarmed.
