Russell Matheson (Macarthur, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I commend the member for Dawson for this important motion highlighting the threat of violent extremism to the Australian community. Since the attacks on the World Trade Centre in 2001, we have all had to accept that terrorism poses a threat to everyone's safety, no matter where they are in the world. The very term itself captures the intent of these groups to strike fear into our hearts by inflicting death and destruction on the population indiscriminately. Civilians are not collateral damage in these campaigns; they are the target. It does not matter whether you are a Christian or a Muslim, a pacifist or not, young or old, every one of us is a target of this ruthless, opportunistic death cult emanating from the Middle East.

According to expert opinion, violent extremism is becoming more diffuse and harder to tackle. The recent attacks in Paris once again proved that we are dealing with an enemy devoid of compassion or any form of humanity whatsoever. As Janet Daley wrote in the UK Daily Telegraph:

All the things that make an enemy – however evil and malign – predictable, analysable, and intelligible are missing here. The actions make no sense in any terms that are within common understanding.

This is not to say that we give up hope or in any way change how we live our lives. In fact, quite the opposite—defiance is the perfect response to this hideous ideology. Football fans proudly singing the French national anthem as they left the Stade de France in Paris amid the attacks proved in my mind that this barbaric ideology cannot withstand the joy and reason of our way of life. What we are seeing with these attacks on innocent people, as they enjoy dining out with family and friends, watching football or listening to a concert, are the final desperate acts of a group of fanatics with no future or place in the modern world.

I have no doubt that terrorism will be defeated. We will win. However, until that point, we must show solidarity and take every precaution to ensure our citizens and those that who serve to protect them are safe from harm. Last year's attack on police outside Endeavour Hill police station in Melbourne illustrated the threat posed to law enforcement officers in Australia. The attacker, Numan Haider, who had been known to police and counter-terrorism officers but was not considered a significant threat at the time, lashed out at two officers, stabbing one officer in the arm and the other, who was lucky to survive, in the neck, stomach and head. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said the man had been asked to come to the police station to discuss his behaviour, which had been causing some concern. When the man pulled up at the station, he stabbed the two officers as they went to greet him.

In October, the police community was again under attack: this time by a radicalised 15-year-old teenager, a naturalised Australian of Iraqi-Kurdish background who arrived with his family from Iran. He walked to police headquarters in Charles Street from his home in North Parramatta before opening fire on a civilian police employee.

The victim was Curtis Cheng, a 17-year veteran of the police finance department who had received medals for long service and who was admired and respected by his colleagues. Mr Cheng, a father of two, was shot at point-blank range by the teen as he left work. The day he died he had been working late on the police annual report. He was a dedicated, trusted and loyal employee of the New South Wales Police Force. He had stayed back longer than usual.

At Mr Cheng's funeral, an executive guard of honour was presented by the highest-ranking police officers in Australia, lining both sides of the steps of St Mary's Cathedral, including New South Wales Commissioner Andrew Scipione, along with deputy commissioners Catherine Burn, Nick Kaldas and David Hudson.

St Mary's Cathedral was filled with 1,500 mourners, near capacity for the funeral service, surrounded by tight security throughout. All states were represented, as well as New Zealand, the Australian Federal Police and Fire & Rescue New South Wales and the ambulance service.

Although these terrible attacks highlight the difficult and dangerous environment police are made to operate in, it is important to remember that Australia's law enforcement officers are having a significant impact on terrorism in our communities, foiling a number of planned terrorist attacks in recent times.

As Prime Minister Turnbull said yesterday, while paying tribute to 747 fallen police officers at a service to mark National Police Remembrance Day:

Our democracy depends on many things. But none is more important than the daily heroism and commitment of the police forces of our nation.

On behalf of all my parliamentary colleagues, I would like to thank the police community and their friends and families for your bravery and service to our community, keeping us safe from violent extremists and the threat of

terrorism.

Finally, as a community, we should all heed the words of French President Francois Hollande:

We will not give in either to fear or to hate …

He said France would respond to the attacks with 'more songs, concerts and shows'. 'We will continue to go to stadiums.' Our love of life will defeat our enemies. Thank you.

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