Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Multicultural Engagement) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak in relation to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee report in relation to right wing extremist movements in Australia. I move:

That the Senate take note of the report.

That report was delivered out of session on 6 December 2024. As chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee, I would like to thank all the members of the committee who participated in that inquiry, including the deputy chair, Senator Nita Green. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the secretariat in dealing with a range of submissions, dealing in some cases with very confronting and controversial material. If I can pay my compliments to Ms Sophie Dunstan and the other members of the team of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee.

I will have something further to say in relation to the report, perhaps next week, but at this point in time the main message I would like to note is we have a situation in this country where in particular there is a cohort of vulnerable young people who are being taken down the rabbit hole of violent extremism, especially via the internet and social media, including through online gaming platforms and other mechanisms or vehicles, which insidious members of extremist groups use to capture the minds of young people. This is a serious issue. ASIO and the AFP are certainly aware of the issue, but the age of the people who are being captured by this vile ideology is of deep concern. I think we, as lawmakers, and various agencies at both Commonwealth and state level need to cooperate with each other and make sure that we are applying best practice in terms of deradicalisation, and, even before we get to that stage, to apply whatever strategies we can apply to promote understanding and divert young people from these noxious ideologies. I will have some further remarks on that comment on the report and seek leave to continue my remarks later.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.