Government to establish $74 million counter-terrorism online centre

The Albanese government will provide $74 million over two years to establish a dedicated national centre to detect and disrupt online violent extremism and terrorism, with a particular focus on youth radicalisation.

The Counter Terrorism Online Centre will be jointly led by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Federal Police, working with local and international law enforcement partners to target online terrorists who threaten violence and manipulate vulnerable young people.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the centre was needed because more young Australians are being radicalised online at an increasingly rapid pace.

“We already have centres dedicated to protecting children and combatting cyber crime; establishing a centre for online violence extremism and terrorism is the next logical step in a fast-moving threat environment,” Burke said.

“The capability we’ve always had to monitor extremists in the meeting room, now extends to the chat room.”