Many of you are concerned about the threat of extremism.
Here in Australia we’re a peaceful democracy.
As Australians, we’re rightly reluctant to reach out to conflicts thousands of miles away but sadly these conflicts sometimes reach out to us.
In these uncertain times, I have three messages for the Australian people:
First, your government will do everything possible to keep you safe.
Second, our security measures at home and abroad are directed against terrorism, not religion.
And third, as Australians we should always live normally because terrorists’ goal is to scare us out of being ourselves.
The Government has a plan to keep Australia safe.
We’ve committed $630 million more to our police, intelligence and security services.
There are now stronger measures at international airports, and many public buildings, to deter extremists.
And the Parliament has passed further measures to strengthen our counter-terrorism capability – with more legislation coming.
Our job is not just to deal with the symptoms of extremism, we must also deal with its origin.
In this case, it is the extremism of the ISIL movement in Iraq and Syria.
The beheadings, the crucifixions, mass executions, ethnic cleansing and sexual slavery that are occurring in northern Iraq and Syria, are only the beginning if ISIL has its way.
So Australia is supporting international operations against ISIL. It’s a decision the Government has made in Australia’s national interest.
We’re doing so in a way that is prudent and proportionate.
Our actions are supported across the political divide.
And we are responding in coalition with other countries from around the world, including from the Middle East.
Our goal is a safer Australia and a more humane world.
4 October 2014