Australia At Risk Of Paris-Like Terror Attacks; Liberal MP Urges Gov't To Amend Racial Discrimination Act

Australia is warned of the risk of similar terrorist attacks following the deadly incidents in Paris. Terrorism experts are calling on national security agencies to focus on monitoring the illegal gun market to prevent copycat attacks in the country.

Monash University professor of politics and international relations Greg Barton said local radicals who have enhanced their military skills in Iraq and Syria may be able to acquire assault weapons in the black market despite Australia's tough gun laws, news.com.au reported. Barton warned that if homegrown terrorists want to get their hands on guns, they know where to get them at a price.

Barton said the small arms black market could be a key source of intelligence for authorities looking for clues on future terror attacks. He believes the Charlie Hebdo shootings in Paris demonstrated the professionalism of the attackers. He warned authorities not to underestimate domestic extremists especially those who have fought for ISIS in the Middle East.

Peter Jennings, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute executive director, said the country may be facing the risk of copycat attacks. He believes Australia should be worried in the short term about the risk of similar attacks but it could lead to some extremists "wanting to make some show of themselves." To prevent a domestic plot, Jennings recommends the cooperation and intelligence-sharing between national security agencies and the police force.

Meanwhile, Liberal senator Cory Bernardi urges the government to re-evaluate racial insult laws following the Paris attacks. He suggested that Prime Minister Tony Abbott should amend the laws to protect the freedom of speech.

According to The Guardian, Bernardi strongly recommends changing the Racial Discrimination Act in the wake of the terror attacks in France. The government had previously rejected changes to section 18C in August 2013. Reports said the Coalition had promised during the elections to change the act so that offending and insulting people because of their race were no longer covered.

The changes to the Racial Discrimination Act had elicited outrage from the community and even members belonging to the Coalition. Bernardi suggested holding discussions with the community in consultation with the proposed amendment.