Australia's new Federal Police Commissioner, Krissy Barrett, has indicated that the country's hate crime laws may need further enhancement following a series of antisemitic attacks. In her first interview since taking office, Barrett announced the formation of specialized strike teams aimed at addressing extremism that does not meet the strict definitions of terrorism.

Barrett, who officially assumed her role as Commissioner, stated that her initial action will be to establish National Security Investigations (NSI) teams in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra. These teams will focus on the increasingly blurred lines between extremism, political violence, organized crime, and foreign interference. "In the past two years, particularly post-October 7, 2023, we have seen a changing operating environment for law enforcement in Australia," Barrett said. "Under my leadership, the AFP will be laser focused on protecting our sovereignty, our democracy, our social cohesion, our financial sector and our future prosperity."

The Australian government enacted comprehensive hate crime legislation earlier this year in response to a surge in antisemitic incidents, including firebombings and the discovery of an explosives-laden caravan in Sydney. The Australian Federal Police later determined that the caravan was part of a "fake terrorism plot" orchestrated by organized crime figures. The new laws, which received bipartisan support, introduced mandatory minimum sentences for various hate crimes, including six years for terrorism offenses and one year for displaying Nazi symbols. However, the Australian Law Reform Commission cautioned that mandatory sentencing could be costly and disproportionately impact marginalized groups.

When asked if the current legal framework is adequate, Barrett suggested that amendments might be necessary. "We do have the hate crimes legislation, for example, introduced earlier this year and have a number of investigations that are underway under that new legislation," she noted. "Part of our approach to these National Security Investigations teams is looking at the national strategy, looking at where are the policy levers, where are potential opportunities for new legislation and or amended legislation."

Barrett's comments follow intelligence reports indicating that Iran was involved in at least two antisemitic attacks in Australia. This revelation led the Albanese government to expel Iran's ambassador, Ahmad Sadeghi, marking the first such expulsion since World War II. Domestic intelligence sources have indicated that not all serious attacks in the past year were perpetrated by foreign actors, highlighting a rise in homegrown antisemitic sentiments.

Barrett expressed that she was not surprised by Iran's involvement in the attacks, which included a firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. "I have a lot of experience and knowledge in relation to foreign interference and espionage … nothing does surprise me," she said. She emphasized the need for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to adapt to the evolving threat landscape, stating that the lines between state actors, organized crime, terrorism, and espionage are becoming increasingly indistinct.

The establishment of NSI units is a key part of the AFP's strategy to address these challenges. Barrett explained that the majority of their cases involve religiously motivated violent extremism. However, she noted a concerning trend of behaviors that, while not classified as terrorist acts, could lead to significant national security risks. "These types of behaviors do have the possibility of leading to violent extremism and terrorism," she said.

The new NSI teams will operate within the AFP's counter-terrorism and special investigations command, focusing on investigating and disrupting extremist activities that pose security threats but do not meet the threshold for terrorism. Barrett stated, "These teams will be dedicated to investigating and disrupting high-harm activity that threatens our social cohesion."

The rise in political violence has also prompted the AFP's shift in focus. Barrett reported a doubling of threats directed at parliamentarians over the past three years. The AFP successfully protected politicians during the recent election period, but the volume of threats remains alarming.

In addition to targeting extremist groups, Barrett highlighted the importance of early intervention to prevent radicalization, particularly among young people. The AFP is collaborating with domestic partners and international agencies to enhance their capabilities in detecting threats, especially those that manifest online.

Barrett concluded by emphasizing the AFP's commitment to ensuring that all Australians feel safe and secure, stating, "Ultimately, in very simplistic terms, it is that people feel safe and secure in this country and don't have sectors of the community who feel they are not part of the fabric of this country."