2 days Ago By Jack Gramenz
High-ranking police say they immediately suspected a caravan filled with explosives with a list of potential Jewish targets was likely not as it seemed. Login or signup to continue reading But federal police intelligence "required" a counter-terrorism investigation to continue well after the discovery of the suspicious trailer on Sydney's outskirts in January, an inquiry was told on Monday The discovery, eventually revealed to be a false flag plot by organised criminals, has come under further scrutiny along with the subsequent passage of new laws. Explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of Jewish people and institutions' addresses were found inside the caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest on January 19.
The discovery prompted fears of a terrorist attack or mass-casualty event but was later revealed to be the work of organised criminals looking to secure favourable treatment from authorities. NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson, who heads up counter-terrorism investigations, said he made his opinion known about the caravan discovery during limited briefings with government. "I expressed my suspicion over the motivation behind it from very early on," he told a parliamentary inquiry into the Dural incident.
"But the reporting received through the Australian Federal Police, which could not be ignored at the level it was being provided, kept it at a level that needed to be investigated by the joint counter terrorism team." He resisted adopting federal police's description of the caravan discovery as a "criminal con job," describing it as an attempted "manipulation of the justice system". "I don't think the NSW Police were conned," he said.
He told the inquiry that police had considered laying terrorism offences against those behind the caravan false flag, despite suspecting it was a hoax from an early stage. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb came back to work on January 21 and the ex-detective had concerns "from early on about what the motive was". "In our briefings .
.. we talked about our concerns about this investigation but we reiterated we had to take it at its highest," she said.
"We could not test the information (being provided to the federal police)." Premier Chris Minns defended the laws after state and federal police revealed the caravan plot was a hoax. "I introduced those laws because there had been a summer of racism in NSW, separate and aside to the caravan out in Dural," he said as calls mounted for an inquiry.
AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said investigators quickly formed the opinion the discovery was part of a fabricated plot. "This was because of the information they already had, how easily the caravan was found and how visible the explosives were in the caravan. Also, there was no detonator," she said in March.
The find came amid a string of anti-Semitic incidents in Sydney, including arson and graffiti attacks on a synagogue and a Jewish community leader's former home. It is believed those attacks were also part of the plot, with the people allegedly responsible paid to carry them out. Australian Associated Press Daily Today's top stories curated by our news team.
Also includes evening update. Weekdays Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Weekdays Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening.
Weekly Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Weekly Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Weekly Love footy? We've got all the action covered.
Weekly The latest news, results & expert analysis. Weekly Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update. Weekly Get the latest property and development news here.
Weekly Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Weekdays Sharp. Close to the ground.
Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Twice weekly Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday.
Twice weekly Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Weekly Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. As it happens Be the first to know when news breaks.
Daily Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Daily Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!.
