Fix our terror policies

THE latest terrorist incident in Melbourne reminds us that we are engaged in an ongoing struggle with radical Islam.

This is not a traditional conflict. The enemies of our way of life do not wear a uniform. They do not declare themselves on the battlefield. It is not even like guerilla warfare — even guerrilla fighters target the soldiers of the enemy force and not innocent civilians.

The conflict of our time — as propagated by ISIL or Daish — involves organised and ‘lone wolf’ terror attacks on innocent civilians and police officers.

It is a sad reality that to become a police officer today is not just to sign up for the risks of violence from criminals but to be a target of terrorists and to have to fight them in the street, as happened on Friday.

These attacks should not shake our fundamental commitment to migration and a diverse community.

But we would be committing ourselves to more of the same if we did not question what we could do to better prevent further killings of innocents.

Just as ugly bollards to prevent car attacks have now become a common sight in our cities it is likely a paramilitary presence will be established in our capitals as in some European cities.

Our leaders need to look at ending welfare to relatives of accused terrorists, asset seizure and even deportation. It may seem unfair in some instances but such measures could also serve as a deterrent to attacks. Jihadis don’t care about our society, but they do care about their family members.

Such measures could also motivate relatives of terror plotters who are supportive or even ambivalent about such plots to blow the whistle before an atrocity occurs.

Our policies need to be more nimble regarding dual nationals. Many would prefer jihadis be allowed to fly out of the country and then have their Australian passport revoked and not be allowed back in than have them setting off bombs at home.

Enough hashtags and vigils. It’s time to get our policy settings right.