2 weeks Ago By Jack Gramenz
The discovery of an explosives-laden caravan, eventually revealed to be a false flag plot by organised criminals, will come under scrutiny as top-ranking police are hauled in for questioning. Login or signup to continue reading Explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of Jewish people and institutions' addresses were found inside the caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest in January. 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.
From Monday, a parliamentary inquiry will begin examining the "caravan incident" and subsequent passage of contentious laws targeting racial and religious hate crimes. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and deputies Dave Hudson and Peter Thurtell will be questioned on the investigation and briefings to the government. Committee chair Rod Roberts said the inquiry was about accountability and ensuring public confidence.
"This inquiry will investigate whether the hate speech and protest laws were introduced and debated based on misleading or incomplete information," he said. "The committee will question NSW Police to establish what was known, when it was known and who within the NSW government had access to this information before critical decisions in parliament were made." Premier Chris Minns defended the laws after state and federal police revealed the caravan was part of a "criminal con job".
"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 those allegedly responsible paid to carry them out.
"None of the individuals we have arrested ...
displayed any form of anti-Semitic ideology," Mr Hudson said in March. Australian Associated Press Daily Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.
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