The Coalition have demanded Anthony Albanese front up and explain why a terrorist who planned to blow up Australian landmarks is set to be freed by the end of the week.
The Coalition has demanded Anthony Albanese explain why a convicted terrorist – who planned to blow up Australian landmarks – is set to be freed back into the community.
Abdul Nacer Benbrika, now aged 62, was arrested and later charged over leading a terror cell conspiring to attack the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the 2005 AFL Grand Final, as well as Victoria’s Crown Casino and the Lucas Heights reactor in Sydney.
He was sentenced to 15 years in jail, which ended in November 2020, before the immigration minister at the time, Peter Dutton, decided to revoke his citizenship.
Benbrika was placed into an immigration detention centre where he has been serving a continuing detention order, however, that is set to expire on Sunday.
Convicted terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika, now aged 62, is set to be released from prison as his detention order is scheduled to expire later this week. Picture: ABC
Shadow immigration minister Dan Tehan has been left fuming over the issue, noting the government had just let out 148 detainees after a High Court ruling.
“It’s simply not good enough. Three years ago he was deemed a risk and should be continually detained. The risk environment has not changed, if anything, it’s got worst,” he told Sky News Australia host Peter Stefanovic on Monday.
“We’ve had that heinous Hamas attack, a terrorist organisation, on Israel. We’ve had social cohesion break down here in Australia because of the way the government’s handled that and now they’re going to let this notorious terrorist walk free.”
Mr Tehan demanded Mr Albanese and Mr Dreyfus explain the decision to the public.
“Where is the Prime Minister? What is he doing to reassure the Australian people that he is keeping them safe?” the shadow immigration minister said.
Stefanovic questioned whether the opposition would keep Benbrika locked up.
Mr Tehan said it is up to the Albanese government to explain “why he shouldn’t be”.
“Three years ago we did everything we could to make sure he was locked up. Why are they letting this notorious terrorist out just before Christmas?” he said.
“Remembering he tried to blow up the MCG on Grand Final Day. This is not someone who did some minor things. He is Australia’s most notorious terrorist.”
The federal government has flagged it would not fight to keep him in prison as he was not a significant danger, with Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus stressing the convicted terrorist will likely be monitored under an “extended supervision order”.
Victoria’s Supreme Court is set to hand down the decision on Tuesday which would force Benbrika to adhere to strict conditions when he is freed.
Mr Tehan insisted it was “not enough” and doubled down on Mr Albanese and Mr Dreyfus to explain why Benbrika will not be locked up for another three years.
“They should front up today and have the courage to be able to look the Australian people in the eye and say ‘this is why we’re not detaining him’,” he said.
“And if they don’t have the courage then they’re not fit enough to be running the national security of this country.”
The Attorney-General’s office said it has applied for Benbrika to be put on an extended supervision order for a maximum of three years.
“The commonwealth has taken the strongest possible action available under law in accordance with the advice from all operational agencies involved in the matter, including AFP and Victoria Police,” a statement said, according to The Guardian.
“The attorney-general’s application for an extended supervision order is in addition to the existing power available to law enforcement and security agencies to ensure community safety.
“The Albanese government has confidence in the AFP (Australian Federal Police) and our security agencies to ensure community safety.”