Former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson calls for open discussion on extremist Islamists and antisemitism without targeting Australian Muslims
Quick Look
Former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson urged an open discussion about extremist Islamists promoting antisemitism while avoiding the targeting of Australian Muslims, stating 'the ball was dropped' after the October 7 attacks and criticizing media and political leadership for not adequately addressing online remarks by an Islamic preacher that were only highlighted after Jewish leaders took the issue to federal court.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Dennis Richardson, former head of ASIO, resigned as a special adviser to the antisemitism royal commission in March and has since spoken publicly about the response to the October 7 attacks, including remarks made by an Islamic preacher online that were not initially covered by mainstream media.
Former spy boss Dennis Richardson is also calling for an open discussion about the role of extremist Islamists in promoting antisemitism in a way that does not make Australian Muslims feel targeted.
"There is a real risk that Muslims as whole feel under pressure. Equally, if you don't have that discussion, you play into the hands of extremists at the other end of the spectrum," he says.
Richardson says the way to do have that discussion is to have "Muslim leaders at the centre".
Former ASIO boss, Dennis Richardson, says "the ball was dropped" following the October 7 attacks.
Richardson, who quit his role as a special adviser to the antisemitism royal commission in March, made the remarks at speech to the Lowy Institute last night.
Speaking this morning with ABC's Radio National, Richardson says society "broadly' was responsible.
"I think some things that were said and done were not picked up by the media in the way they should have been, certainly by all the media. And I think some aspects of the political leadership were wanting too, but it would be wrong to focus on particular people," he says.
Asked what in particular he was calling out, Richardson referred to remarks made by an Islamic preacher online that were only picked up by the media when Jewish leaders took the issue to the federal court.
"They were not picked up more broadly in the media and they should have been, should have been highlighted and should have been condemned," he says.
Hi friends. Welcome to our politics live blog. I'm Courtney Gould from the ABC's Parliament House team, here to guide you through the day.
Expect there to be a lot of reaction after leaked documents revealed the government was considering imposing an opt-out model where artists' works would automatically be available to AI companies unless creators took steps to block or remove them.
A speech former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson gave last night, where he claimed "the ball was dropped" following the October 7 attacks, is also getting attention this morning.
Lets jump straight into it.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
There will be increased public pressure on media outlets to monitor and report on extremist content online more proactively.
Likely · Within weeks
Discussions about balancing free speech with the prevention of antisemitism will continue in Australian public and political spheres.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific remarks did the Islamic preacher make online?
- Which Jewish leaders took the issue to federal court and when?
- What actions, if any, has the government taken in response to Richardson's criticisms?
- How do Australian Muslim communities perceive Richardson's call for discussion?