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

Thank you very much, Senator Reynolds. On Friday, in the execution of Operation Amberd, the Australian Federal Police and the Victoria Police found three explosive devices during a search of a residence in Greenvale in Melbourne. Those devices were then rendered safe by police during a controlled detonation in a nearby park. A 17-year-old male was taken into custody and has today faced court in Melbourne charged with engaging in an act in preparation for a terrorist act, in contravention of section 101.6 of the Criminal Code, and another charge, of possessing things connected with a terrorist act, in contravention of section 101.4 of the Criminal Code.

So far 23 people have been charged as a result of eight counter-terrorism operations since the terror threat level was raised to high last September. The people of Australia can be assured that our law enforcement and security agencies are doing everything they can to keep our people safe. They can be reassured that the government, with, I am pleased to say, the support of the opposition, has taken strong measures to ensure that that remains so. However, we must remain vigilant, in particular in light of a concerning trend which is increasingly seeing young people forming an intent to undertake terrorist acts. Young people as young as 14, without criminal records or strong links to known terror networks, are being groomed online by terrorist organisations and presenting a new challenge for security and law enforcement agencies. If any members of the public have any concerns, they can contact the National Security Hotline on 1800123400.