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Counter terrorism MP pushes security boost

AN INFORMATION database and extensive security camera rollout tracking personal behaviour would be valuable terrorquashing tools according to a local federal MP.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood’s responsibilities last week shifted temporarily from representing areas of Knox, Yarra Ranges and Casey, to national security advocate as both he and Flinders MP Greg Hunt unveiled their plan to quash terrorist activities in Australia.
But despite the measures, the former Victorian Police Counter Terrorism Coordination Unit senior sergeant said there was no guarantee an attack would not occur on home soil.
In a statement the pair highlighted three key security points they believed Australia needed to address urgently, including a central computer database to store all private information including peoples’ names, addresses, purchases of fertiliser and chemicals, and records of aviation and explosive licences.
Other ideas included installing a countrywide, networked closedcircuit television (CCTV) system to monitor public activity, and an educational program to promote monitoring behaviour rather than ethnicity.
“We are focusing on the notion that we need to observe behaviour rather than concentrate on stereotyping,” Mr Hunt said.
Mr Wood said information on people who buy fertiliser or bear explosives licences was already on file but in individual databases, making it difficult for authorities to access information.
Mr Wood admitted the database and CCTV rollout, if they occur, might lead to restrictions to personal liberties, but said it was more important to prevent attacks on Australian soil.
“The restriction of a person’s liberty compared to the worst case scenario of a terrorist attack always leans towards the balance of the restriction, which is inconvenient, but overall …we have to look at how terrorists who avoid detection through the planning phase use different means to carry out attacks.”
Mr Hunt said the systems would be established with people’s freedoms in mind.
“I think that you can minimise any cost to liberty by focusing simply on smart data and intelligence; by bringing together as much information as possible about risky behaviour.
“The information is not the threat, it is actions which close down freedom of speech we have to be cautious and vigilant about.”