A shocking revelation has come to light, with former Prime Minister Tony Abbott condemning current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a “shocking failure of leadership” regarding an alleged anti-Semitic terror plot in Sydney.
The plot, which involved a caravan filled with powerful explosives and addresses of Jewish sites, was reportedly kept under wraps for nine days before Albanese was informed.
What Happened?
On January 19, a concerned resident in Dural, Sydney, alerted the NSW Police to a suspicious caravan.
The police discovered the caravan contained Powergel explosives, believed to have been stolen from a mine site, and a note with anti-Semitic messages, including the addresses of Jewish people and a synagogue.
The Premier of NSW, Chris Minns, was briefed on the matter the very next day, but Albanese was reportedly kept in the dark until much later.
Delayed Response: A Failure of Leadership?
Tony Abbott has slammed the delay in communication, stating, “It’s hard to credit that NSW police would uncover enough explosives to kill hundreds of people in a caravan belonging to anti-Semitic activists… and that no one would bother to tell the PM.”
He further added that either the authorities aren’t taking public safety seriously, or they don’t think the PM takes it seriously enough, which is a “shocking failure of leadership” that goes all the way to the top.
Who Knew What and When?
The Attorney-General and national security committee were also left out of the loop, sparking concerns about the handling of the situation.
Albanese has refused to reveal when he was briefed on the discovery, citing operational details.
However, Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley has called on the Prime Minister to come clean about when he knew about the plot, stating that he appears “out of his depth” on national security and anti-Semitism.
The Investigation: What’s Next?
The police are now searching for the masterminds behind the alleged terror plot, having made several arrests on the periphery of the investigation.
A couple, Tammie Farrugia and Scott Marshall, have been arrested, and police are investigating potential links to white supremacist groups or bikie gangs. The owner of the caravan is in custody on unrelated matters.
The Right Decision?
NSW Premier Chris Minns has defended the decision to keep the discovery of the caravan a secret from the public, citing the need for covert means to catch those responsible.
However, the delay in informing Albanese has raised eyebrows, with many questioning the handling of the situation.
Stay Informed: More on This Developing Story
As the investigation unfolds, we will bring you updates on this breaking news story. In the meantime, we want to hear from you: do you think the Prime Minister should have been informed sooner?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.