Share and Follow


A 12-year-old allegedly wanted to blow up a place of worship, Australia’s top spy has said, as he warned radicalised minors are as much of a “credible terrorist threat” as adults.
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess spoke of other “sad and sobering” cases including minors allegedly sharing beheading videos in a school courtyard, and a 17-year-old said to have watched Nazi propaganda and writing an antisemitic slogan on a classroom wall.
He warned of “nationalist and nationalist and racist violent extremists” taking part in offensive and high-profile acts to bolster support and generate publicity in a wide-ranging annual threat assessment delivered on Wednesday.
In his speech, Burgess also said:
– A foreign intelligence service had plotted to lure an Australia-based human rights activist to a third country where they would be the victim of a purported “accident”
– At least three nations have plotted to harm people in Australia
– The war in the Middle East hadn’t inspired terrorism in Australia but had exacerbated division, elevated intolerance and undermined social cohesion

– This, in turn, is making acts of politically motivated violence more likely.

The terrorism threat in Australia was raised in 2024 to probable, and Burgess said it was unlikely that it would be lowered in the near future.
“I remain concerned about young Australians being caught up in webs of hate, both religiously and ideologically motivated,” he said, revealing the median age at which minors are first subject to ASIO investigation is now 15.
Foreign regimes and authoritarian nations continued to monitor, harass, intimidate and force cooperation from people in Australia.
At least four countries have plotted forced repatriation — where people in Australia are coerced or made to return to their country of birth where they can face persecution.

It contributed to a culture of fear within diaspora communities, Burgess said.

A dual-Australian citizen living in Australia “endured constant pressure from his former country’s authorities to return to face historical allegations”.
“After he refused, the authorities began a campaign to break his will,” Burgess said.
Some authoritarian regimes were becoming more brazen and aggressive while other countries had “all but given up trying to harass members of their diaspora here”.
“Others have stopped their spying, for now at least,” he said.
The war in the Middle East hadn’t inspired terrorism in Australia but had exacerbated division, elevated intolerance and undermined social cohesion”, which made politically motivated violence more likely, Burgess said.
The normalisation of violent protesting and intimidation increased the likelihood of violent acts, which was something the Jewish community was experiencing, he said, amid rising antisemitic attacks.

“I am concerned these attacks have not yet plateaued.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Concerns grow for former Sydney society 'It' girl and celebrity stylist Kelly Smythe after she was accused of shocking forgery scam

Growing Concern for Celebrity Stylist Kelly Smythe Following Accusations of an Alarming Forgery Scam

Friends of Sydney socialite and stylist Kelly Smythe are growing concerned in…
A Camp Mystic sign is seen near the entrance to the establishment along the banks of the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area in Hunt, Texas, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Flash floods in Texas claim the lives of 37 people, including 14 children.

The storm killed at least 37 people across the state, including 14…
Joshua Brown

Mother of child who was reportedly mistreated at daycare expresses that she is deeply distressed.

A mother has shared her anguish after learning her child was one…

Trump announces TikTok sale is almost complete, just waiting for approval from China

President Donald Trump says the United States “pretty much” has a deal…
TEHRAN, IRAN - JULY 6: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - 'IRANIAN LEADER PRESS OFFICE / HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei makes his first public appearance since the war with Israel by attending an Ashura ceremony in Tehran, Iran, on July 6, 2025. Khamenei, who did not join the previous three nights of Muharram mourning events held at his residence on Palestine Street, participated

Iran’s top leader appears in public for the first time since the beginning of Iran-Israel conflict

Khamenei’s absence during the war suggested heavy security for the Iranian leader,…

Tragic Texas floods claim 32 lives, with many children still unaccounted for

US authorities say 32 people, including 14 children are confirmed dead after…

Devastating floods in Texas lead to 43 fatalities and many children still unaccounted for

Some 43 people, including 15 children, have been confirmed dead following flash…

Stage 1 results of Tour de France: Philipsen triumphs in windy start while Evenepoel gets stuck in a breakaway

There were mixed fortunes for the thousands of Belgian fans who poured…