PM knew of antisemitic terror hoax ‘for some time’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese knew “for some time” that an explosives-laden caravan was likely a hoax threat, despite initially labelling the purported antisemitic plot an act of terrorism.
Police have revealed the caravan, found on Sydney’s semi-rural outskirts on January 19, was “almost immediately” dismissed as a ruse by organised criminals to further their own agendas.
The presence of industrial explosives in the van and a note listing prominent Jewish sites prompted Albanese and other leaders, including Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and NSW Premier Chris Minns, to declare the find an act of terrorism.
On Wednesday, Albanese defended his handling of the incident, saying the fact it was a hoax plot did not detract from the fear it created within the Jewish community.
“I have known for some time what the AFP thought and what the ASIO and security agencies thought about the events that occurred, including the caravan,” he said.
“What I chose to do, in spite of some of the media commentary and in spite of the criticism of the opposition, was to act in our interest, back the security agencies, back the Australian Federal Police and allow them to do their job.”
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On Monday, investigators revealed the caravan was a “criminal con job” carried out by low-level operatives for a mastermind looking to improve their own conditions.
NSW Police said it was part of a recent spate of antisemitic crimes, including graffiti and arson attacks on a synagogue, a preschool and other sites, arranged by organised crime figures rather than ideologically motivated actors.
The disclosure prompted a political war of words, including Dutton calling on Albanese to explain when he knew the caravan plot was a hoax.
“If the Prime Minister knew that this was a hoax and he didn’t provide that advice to the Australian public, then we need to understand why,” he said.
Labor figures accused Dutton of deliberately avoiding briefings on the incident so he could continue his fiery rhetoric about antisemitic crimes.
Dutton has denied that, and accused the government of “crass politics”.
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On Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner David Hudson told a NSW budget estimates hearing the possibility of terrorist motivations were discredited on February 21.
“The details of that [caravan criminal conspiracy] were complicated by external [media] reporting that entered the investigation … until that was discredited, we treated it as a terrorist incident,” he said.
A NSW task force investigating antisemitic attacks has arrested 29 people, including 14 in a recent sweep.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley confirmed during the fiery hearing that none of those arrested was believed to be ideologically motivated.
She repeatedly refused to answer when she knew it was not a foiled terror plot, while defending the introduction of hate speech laws. They were rushed through the NSW parliament on February 18 in response to rising antisemitism.
“Hateful crimes were occurring on our streets here in Sydney … it does not specifically relate to the caravan event,” Catley said.
Australian Federation of Islamic Councils president Rateb Jneid said the misuse of serious incidents for political gain needed to end.
“Our political leaders must exhibit restraint and await thorough investigations before making public pronouncements that have the potential to cause community harm,” he said.
The federation pointed to the introduction of hate crime laws “without proper verification of the facts” as an example of the impact of “hasty political responses”.
Michael Zekulin, a terrorism researcher at the Australian National University, said the caravan find still highlighted a potential “blind spot” terrorists could exploit.
“It’s good there is a lesson learnt here, that law enforcement uncovered something, but it doesn’t negate that somebody acquired explosives undetected and was able to put this together,” he said.
