Malcolm Turnbull holds meeting with national security committee on Australia’s options against terrorism
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull met the national security committee on Monday for briefing the cabinet of his discussions with the world leaders on how to handle terrorism threats. The committee also heard senior defence officials and security agencies on the issue.
The meeting has been convened following requests from top US military generals to fund Syrian forces fighting against the ISIS militants who are trying to retreat among the civilians to deter the airstrikes.
Turnbull had met with world leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama at summits where it was promised that terror attacks would not be allowed to become the order of the day. Australian security analysts are also expected to discuss options to help the local people continue their fights against the group at the meeting.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the prime minister also met with United Nations chief, Ban Ki-moon, over the weekend on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit and discussed current situations in Syria and Iraq and exchanged views on extremism.
"The Secretary-General indicated that he is preparing a comprehensive Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism for presentation to the General Assembly in the beginning of 2016, and looked forward to the support of Australia," the statement said.
Turnbull also told reporters in Kuala Lumpur that Australia is intensifying its cooperation with all the countries in the region in terms of intelligence sharing as well as on other grounds following the deadly attacks in the Paris and Bamako, Mali.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has also been asked to take part in Monday’s meeting.
Attorney General George Brandis was asked in May 2014 to review and update all the federal laws on counter terrorism to make them stronger without affecting the basic human rights norms. He has introduced five updates since then, making police more powerful in enforcing the laws.
Treasurer Scott Morrison told the 2GB Radio on Monday that the government is deciding each of its moves very calmly.
“They want to be assured that the government is doing everything it possibly can, and we are, to ensure that Australians are protected, particularly here at home,” he said.
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