TASMANIANS cannot be complacent about the growing threat of terrorism, Police Commissioner Darren Hine says. Prime Minister Tony Abbott yesterday delivered a stark warning in a national security address, saying the terrorist threat was rising and growing harder to combat. Mr Hine said Tasmanians could not assume that the state was immune. ‘‘There are no security threats specific to Tasmania. However, we need to remain vigilant and maintain our focus on prevention and preparedness,’’ he said. ‘‘While there is no information to indicate individuals or groups are involved in violent extremism in Tasmania at this time, the threat in Australia is growing and we cannot be complacent about the risks.’’ Mr Hine said any suspicious behaviour should be reported to the National Security Hotline or the Police Information Line. ‘‘Our responsibility is to keep the community safe. To do that, we need information,’’ he said. However, Mr Hine said there was no need for people to feel unsafe or change their behaviour. ‘‘It’s understandable that people might be anxious about the potential for terrorist activity,’’ he said. ‘‘Our message to Tasmanians is that we all should continue to go about our daily business.’’ Mr Abbott says his government will push to remove the citizenship of foreign fighters who are dual nationals, as well as examine which ‘‘privileges’’ can be removed from Australians involved in terrorism. Premier Will Hodgman said the state would work with the federal government in response to a review of Australia’s counter-terrorism framework. ‘‘I want to assure Tasmanians that while there is no evidence of a specific threat here, we are well prepared to respond to threats of terrorism,’’ Mr Hodgman said.
TASMANIANS cannot be complacent about the growing threat of terrorism, Police Commissioner Darren Hine says.
Police Commissioner Darren Hine
Prime Minister Tony Abbott yesterday delivered a stark warning in a national security address, saying the terrorist threat was rising and growing harder to combat.
Mr Hine said Tasmanians could not assume that the state was immune.
‘‘There are no security threats specific to Tasmania. However, we need to remain vigilant and maintain our focus on prevention and preparedness,’’ he said.
‘‘While there is no information to indicate individuals or groups are involved in violent extremism in Tasmania at this time, the threat in Australia is growing and we cannot be complacent about the risks.’’
Mr Hine said any suspicious behaviour should be reported to the National Security Hotline or the Police Information Line.
‘‘Our responsibility is to keep the community safe. To do that, we need information,’’ he said.
However, Mr Hine said there was no need for people to feel unsafe or change their behaviour.
‘‘It’s understandable that people might be anxious about the potential for terrorist activity,’’ he said.
‘‘Our message to Tasmanians is that we all should continue to go about our daily business.’’
Mr Abbott says his government will push to remove the citizenship of foreign fighters who are dual nationals, as well as examine which ‘‘privileges’’ can be removed from Australians involved in terrorism.
Premier Will Hodgman said the state would work with the federal government in response to a review of Australia’s counter-terrorism framework.
‘‘I want to assure Tasmanians that while there is no evidence of a specific threat here, we are well prepared to respond to threats of terrorism,’’ Mr Hodgman said.
