1 week Ago By Kat Wong
Threats to politicians "cannot become the new normal", the deputy opposition leader said, after Peter Dutton was revealed as the target of an alleged terror plot. Login or signup to continue reading A Brisbane schoolboy allegedly planned an attack involving the coalition leader in the first half of 2024 before being arrested in August, according to News Corp. The teenager, 16, was reportedly on Thursday committed to stand trial in Brisbane's Supreme Court after being charged with a Commonwealth offence of committing acts done "in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act".
Mr Dutton's deputy, Sussan Ley, said the case was "incredibly concerning", before adding she was confident that police and the judicial system would "do the right thing". "We expect this sort of thing to happen overseas, but never here," she told Seven's Sunrise program on Friday. "We can't let this become the new normal in Australia.
" Ms Ley noted the revelation added to recent difficult personal news for Mr Dutton, whose father was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack, ahead of his election debate with the prime minister on Tuesday. In March, a parliamentary hearing was told threats against politicians and their staff had surged in recent years. Sports minister Anika Wells said it was an issue MPs dealt with "all the time".
"You think about your family, who are the unwitting conscripts to your work, and to the impact that the threats might be on them in particular," she told the ABC on Friday. As politicians travel the country in the lead-up to the May 3 national election, Labor minister Jason Clare hoped the leaders could continue interacting with the public as usual. "In Australia, in a democracy, you make your arguments with words, not weapons," he told Sunrise.
"If people want to come up to us and have a chat, they can. "If they don't like us, then they might mumble something under their breath or cross the road. "You never want to see the sorts of threats of physical violence happen, like we've seen overseas.
" Mr Dutton will be in Western Australia on Friday to spruik a coalition promise to abolish penalties for fuel-guzzling cars, if the coalition wins government. The federal government's vehicle efficiency scheme is currently designed to encourage the uptake of electric and more fuel-efficient cars. It sets emission targets for vehicles and imposes penalties on automakers whose fleets fall short of those limits or if they fail to trade credits with other car brands.
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!.
