The Australian Federal Police (AFP) are taking decisive action against those who incite “hatred, fear, and humiliation” through their new “hate disrupter squads.” These measures come as the AFP warns that certain influences and influencers are having a detrimental impact on the minds of young Australians.
During a Senate estimates hearing, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett disclosed the formation of these squads. She also detailed two ongoing operations aimed at tackling white supremacists and hate preachers, with a particular concern about the growing risk of terrorism among younger demographics.
The crackdown has already led to charges against 21 individuals, primarily for making threats against parliamentarians, high-ranking officials, and the Jewish community. These actions highlight the severity of the threat to Australia’s social harmony.
“These units were established to focus on groups and individuals causing significant harm to Australia’s social cohesion,” Barrett explained to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee. She expressed deep concern over the current and emerging threats that jeopardize the nation’s social fabric by promoting divisive ideologies.
Although many of these groups and individuals have not yet committed acts of terrorism, the AFP has observed behaviors that could potentially escalate into politically or ideologically motivated violence or hate crimes. Barrett noted the troubling likelihood that, in today’s climate, young people might soon be classified as “high risk terrorist offenders.”
Barrett said in the current climate it was “probable” young people would start to be declared “high risk terrorist offenders”.
“A majority of our terrorism caseload continues to be religiously motivated violent extremism,” she said.
“We are also recording increasing incidents of ideologically motivated violent extremism.
“We are also witnessing a trend of lone actors being radicalised quickly – and this creates a more challenging environment for law enforcement.
“And of significant concern, we are witnessing a growing cohort of people, including youth, who are susceptible to hatred or are attracted to violence.
“Too many influences and influencers are poisoning the minds of our kids and the vulnerable.”
Under questioning from senators, Barrett was pushed to respond to widely criticised footage of NSW Police clashing with protesters at Sydney Town Hall on Monday night.
She refused to comment directly on the videos but said the AFP would have a ” significant policing presence” today for Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to the ACT.
“Absolutely I can provide you with that assurance around the professionalism of our members, ensuring that they will go about their duties respectfully with the protest, but also if we do see criminal behaviour responding appropriately,” she said.
Barrett came in for criticism by Greens senator David Shoebridge for not appointing an acting commissioner while she was in Vanuatu in December.
The Bondi terrorist attack occurred during the two days she was visiting the Pacific nation for talks about regional security.
Shoebridge said he found the decision not to appoint an acting commissioner “extraordinary” but Barrett insisted she was in charge and had full communication, even able to dial into the National Security Committee meeting within two hours of the attack.
“The AFP responded extremely swiftly, immediately after Bondi, so I take offence if there’s any insinuation that we didn’t as an organisation,” Barrett said.
Minister Murray Watt insisted the commissioner had the government’s full confidence and said Shoebridge’s treatment of public servants “all day, all year, every estimates” was “disappointing”.
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