George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, I can, Senator Reynolds. You may be aware that, on 30 August, the United Kingdom raised its terrorism threat level from 'substantial' to 'severe'. That change reflected that the threat of a terrorist attack against the UK was assessed to be highly likely. This move by the UK indicates the significance of the threat posed by ISIL and other terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq to the United Kingdom. In 2011 the US government updated its terror alert system. The US national terrorism advisory system removed the standing alert levels and replaced them with an approach based on advising the public of specific elevated or imminent terrorist threats.

Australia continues to work closely with the UK, the US and other partners about the threat from terrorist groups active in Syria and Iraq and from returning foreign fighters. The government will take all necessary steps to keep Australia and Australia's interests safe.