Dr Clarke Jones, a visiting fellow at ANU who worked on national security programs with the federal government for 15 years, says while he believes the government's intent to be good, the approach is counter-productive.
In an opinion piece for the Daily Telegraph Mr Abbott said Australians were angry that a terrorism threat can come from people who have enjoyed Australia's "hospitality and generosity"
"It's not inclusive language at all. I mean, what is this about 'enjoying Australia's hospitality?' There are people who have fled countries, that have come to Australia because (they think) its a safe and welcoming place. Unfortunately its not as welcoming as a lot of people think," Dr Jones said.
The Prime Minister has also questioned whether the responsibilities of becoming an Australian citizen were being properly understood.
However, Dr Jones says the idea of a single set of "Australian values" is problematic:
"Do we all have to wear thongs? Stubbies shorts, singlets and eat meat pies and go to football and drink beer? I mean, what are Australian values? Thank God we've got all these overseas influences that make Australia such an interesting place. A lot of the focus is on interventions being directed at Muslim communities, but I think a lot of education needs to go back to the broader Australian community, or to the government," he said.
Dr Jones urged the government not to politicise the issue with rhetoric, and to instead focus on addressing the underlying causes of radicalisation - including youth unemployment and socio-economic factors.
"At the moment, the government is contributing to the problem... alienating more people and creating more drivers for people to want to look for other sorts of attachment which they're not finding in Australia currently," he said.
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