Abbott: ’ISIL’-Inspired Terror Acts Could Happen in Australia

Local Editor

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has warned on Thursday that horrific acts of terrorism such as the recent beheading of American journalist James Foley in Iraq could happen in Western countries including Australia.

Speaking in the Australian city of Melbourne on Thursday, Abbott said the revelation that Foley's killer appeared to be British was a reminder that such atrocities were not distant events.

''As for the apparent truth that the murderer was a British citizen, it just goes to show that while these events are taking place far from our shores, they can have ramifications right around the world,'' he said.

''It just goes to show that this is not just something that happens elsewhere, it could happen in countries like Australia if we relax our vigilance against terrorism and potential terrorism here on our shores.

Abbott said the murder of the American journalist - the online video of which has now been authenticated by US intelligence agencies - bolstered the case for stronger counter-terrorism laws and resourcing.

Meanwhile, Abbott continued to leave open the option of greater involvement in Iraq, though he stressed there was no consideration of putting combat boots on the ground and insisted any intervention would be a humanitarian, not a military, act.

The Abbott government is proposing two waves of stronger intelligence and counter-terrorism laws, including a controversial proposal to declare ''no-go zones'' such as hotspots in Iraq and Syria which mean travellers to those regions would need to prove they were not involved in terrorism.

Around 60 Australians are fighting with the so-called "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" [ISIL] and other extremist groups in the Middle East. About 100 more are involved in support networks for these terrorist organizations.

Moreover, the Australian government is gravely concerned about the risk these people pose if they return home trained in terrorism, and wants to spend $600 million to beef up security in the country.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team