ASIO reveals 16 disrupted terror threats since Bondi shootings as Mike Burgess warns of terrorism ‘concern’

Australia’s domestic spy agency has revealed it’s helped to disrupt 16 terror threats since December’s Bondi shootings, as it marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the devastating 9/11 attacks in the United States.

Paying tribute to the those killed by the al-Qa’ida strikes in 2001, which included ten Australians, ASIO Director General Mike Burgess is also warning transnational terrorism has re-emerged as a “significant, malignant security concern”.

“Al-Qa’ida, ISIS and their affiliates are exploiting permissive spaces in the real world and online to grow their capabilities, demonstrating a renewed capacity to conduct and inspire attacks outside their immediate spheres of influence,” Mr Burgess said.

“These groups still see Western interests as legitimate targets. The threat is exacerbated by terrorism orchestrated by nation-states.”

“Terrorist motivations are also far more diverse than they were 25 years ago,” the ASIO boss said as he confirmed Sunni violent extremism still “represents the majority of ASIO’s counter-terrorism caseload”.

ASIO’s Director also revealed that his agency, which has grown significantly since the 9/11 attacks, has helped to foil “33 major terrorism plots since 2014” working alongside its partners.

“That is not an accident. Nor is it a comprehensive measure of our success, or a complete picture of the security environment.”

“The 33 figure refers to major plots where an attack is imminent or the planning advanced. There are many more potential terrorism cases where ASIO and law enforcement are able to intervene before the planning reaches an advanced stage.”

Mr Burgess has also revealed that in the 9 months since the Bondi attacks that claimed 15 innocent lives in December, ASIO and law enforcement has disrupted 16 cases “where a terrorist threat was considered serious but not necessarily imminent”.

He said the alleged cases included a planned anti-Semitic attack, threats to kill Muslims and an advocate of racist violence allegedly being found in possession of weapons and ammunition.

“Of course, ASIO is not all seeing and all knowing. And we do not want to be. We cannot stop every terrorist, just as we cannot catch every spy. But we will continue to work around the clock to keep Australians safe,” Mr Burgess stressed.

“Instead of embracing fixed ideologies, radicalised individuals are increasingly embracing mixed ideologies. Instead of being radicalised by associates in the real world, individuals are often being radicalised by strangers online.

“Instead of being radicalised as adults, individuals are all too often being radicalised as minors. Instead of gathering in prayer halls or backyards, radicalised individuals are frequently gathering in encrypted chat rooms.

“These dynamics make the contemporary terrorism environment different – and in some ways, more difficult – than a quarter of a century ago.”