A new airport-based counter-terrorism squad has intercepted a suspected terrorist in Australia.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott told parliament on Wednesday that his government had last week put in to affect new counter-terrorism units at the country’s international airports.
The first units have reportedly commenced operations at Sydney and Melbourne airports. Similar units will soon be at work at the other international airports around Australia.
One of the operational units has had its first success, according to the prime minister.
“I’m advised these new units have already intercepted at least one person of interest,” said Mr Abbott, speaking in the House of Representatives.
“This government will do everything that is necessary to keep this country safe.”
It is unclear whether the person was actually arrested or charged with any crime.
Australian Federal Police had received an additional $6 million for ‘diversion and monitoring’ of radicals returning to Australia from training and fighting overseas, according to Justice Minister Michael Keenan, plus a further $12 million to work with international partners, such as countries in the Middle East.
“The threat posed by Australians participating in foreign conflicts in Iraq and Syria is very real and is larger in scale than Australia has faced before,” Mr Keenan told parliament.
IMAGE: Styalized file image of airport security (Shutterstock.com)