Commissioner’s Statement on Christchurch

Photo: Australian Federal Police

I commend the first responders in New Zealand for their swift actions as this attack occurred. The response is testimony to the skills and experience of police and other emergency workers.

The efforts of the Australian Federal Police are focused on keeping the community safe, and we have been working hard with our partners since Friday to understand this terrible event, and to support New Zealand authorities, particularly the New Zealand Police investigation. This work is being led by the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team.

The AFP is concerned about terrorism in all of its forms. The AFP works with our domestic and international partners to target criminals and criminal activity, not ideologies or backgrounds. All individuals or groups that seek to do us harm are treated seriously, and all criminality is targeted regardless of the perpetrators’ background or motivation.

There is simply no place in Australia for violence of this nature. The Joint Counter Terrorism Teams across Australia work seamlessly to ensure that all allegations of politically motivated violence are treated equally, and with our security partners we ensure that we remain vigilant to extremism leading to violence, in all of its forms.

The community continues to be one of the greatest sources of intelligence that law enforcement can rely on. If you know something or see something that doesn’t add up call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400 or if you think lives are in danger do not hesitate to call 000.