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

Thank you very much, Senator Bushby. It is a very important issue that you raise. As honourable senators would know, yesterday morning a 22-year-old man appeared before Parramatta court charged with the offences of attempted murder and committing a terrorist act under section 101 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code. The charges relate to a horrific knife attack against a 59-year-old man at Minto, in south-western Sydney, on Saturday afternoon. The investigation is ongoing; however, police have confirmed that they will allege the act was an ISIL-inspired attack. Of course, our thoughts are with the victim of this attack and we pray for his quick and complete recovery.

I can assure honourable senators that there is no ongoing threat to the community arising from this particular incident, which was disrupted through the brave actions of bystanders in the community who put their own safety, and indeed potentially their lives, at risk to save the life of the victim. Of course, our thanks are also extended to the police, who subdued and arrested the attacker. Nevertheless, the National Terrorism Threat Level remains at 'probable', as it has been for two years, since it was elevated to that level on 12 September 2014. What that means is that a terrorism event of some kind is assessed as likely.

This is now the fourth attack in Australia since the National Terrorism Threat Level was raised, but in the same period our law enforcement and security agencies have disrupted and prevented a further 10 planned terror attacks. The Australian government is committed to doing everything it can to tackle the threat posed by terrorism and those who support it, and keeping our community safe.