JOINT MEDIA RELEASE 5 November 2025
Shadow Home Affairs Minister Senator Jonno Duniam and Shadow Attorney-General Andrew Wallace MP have called on the Albanese Government to heed the serious warnings issued by ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess and urgently strengthen Australia’s response to extremist and foreign interference threats.
In his 2025 Lowy Lecture last night, Mr Burgess warned that Australia’s social cohesion is “under siege” and revealed a “realistic possibility” that hostile regimes could attempt assassinations on Australian soil. He also compared the tactics of Islamist extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir to those of neo-Nazi movements, describing both as threats to community harmony.
Senator Duniam said the Labor Government must move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action to protect Australians.
“The Director-General’s warning could not be clearer: the threats facing Australians are growing, complex and serious.”
“The Albanese Government must treat this as a matter of urgency and ensure every necessary measure is in place to keep Australians safe.”
Senator Duniam said Labor must seriously consider the listing of Hizb ut-Tahrir as a terrorist organisation.
“When our intelligence chief compares Hizb ut-Tahrir’s tactics to neo-Nazis, it’s time for the government to be extremely vigilant,” Senator Duniam said.
“The United Kingdom, Germany and Indonesia have already acted, and the Coalition has been calling for a long time for the government to actively consider this listing.”
Senator Duniam and Mr Wallace also urged the Government to take far stronger action against rising anti-Semitism and its corrosive impact on social cohesion.
“The Director-General has warned that anti-Semitism is being fuelled by both extremist groups and foreign state actors.”
“The Government must respond with urgency, authority and moral clarity to protect the Jewish community and uphold the values that make Australia strong and united.”
Senator Duniam said national security must never become a matter of political convenience.
“The safety of Australians must always come first. These are not abstract threats – they are real, they are immediate, and they demand the full attention of the Government.”
“The Opposition stands ready to work constructively on any measures that strengthen our national security and safeguard the cohesion of our nation.”
Shadow Attorney-General Andrew Wallace added, the Government must urgently strengthen Australia’s counter-espionage laws, boost funding for ASIO and the AFP, and work with the eSafety Commissioner to address online radicalisation driven by artificial intelligence and social media.
“Mike Burgess has sounded the alarm. The threat is real, and it is growing. This Government has to get serious about national security,” Mr Wallace said.
“We are now in the most hotly contested period for foreign interference and espionage in our nation’s history. Our adversaries are becoming bolder and more reckless, and Australia is ill-prepared.”
Only a Coalition Government will back our police and security agencies, strengthen our laws and restore safety to the Australian community.
ENDS
Media Contacts:
(Duniam) Will Calvert-Jones – 0400 144 366 – Will.Calvert-Jones@aph.gov.au
(Wallace) Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.West@aph.gov.au
