The Abbott Government is set to unveil tougher security measures in the coming week, including a crackdown on who qualifies for residency, citizenship and welfare in a bid to tighten national security.
Tony Abbott is expected to announce new measures on Monday.
Speaking to media in Sydney, Mr Abbott used the example of Man Haron Monis to support his message of not giving people the benefit of the doubt.
“At every step of the way, our system gave him the benefit of the doubt,” he said.
“This was someone who really did bring nothing but discredit to himself and to our country. He frankly is a disgrace to everybody who came into contact with him.
“We need to ensure that the system is at least as focussed on Australia’s national interest as it is on the interests of people from overseas who seek to come here.”
Mr Abbott’s comments follow a statement made on YouTube over the weekend, where he warned that there would be no more “benefit of the doubt” for would-be terrorists.
“It’s clear to me, that for too long, we have given those who might be a threat to our country the benefit of the doubt,” he said.
“There's been the benefit of the doubt at our borders, the benefit of the doubt for residency, the benefit of the doubt for citizenship and the benefit of the doubt at Centrelink.
“And in the courts, there has been bail, when clearly there should have been jail.”
His comments have been criticised by the Greens, whose leader Christine Milne said they were an attempt to “shore up” Mr Abbott’s leadership.
Senator Milne said his comments were more likely to divide the country than unite residents.
“We’ve got a Prime Minister who is so desperate that he is trying to press the terror button in order to shore up his own position,” she said.
“It won’t make us safer.”
Share
