Peter Dutton was not the target of a warning from Australia's domestic spy chief to avoid inflaming community tensions over the Middle East conflict.
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess confirmed the statement he released, saying “words matter” and pointing out “direct connections” between language and community hostility, wasn’t provoked by the opposition leader.
On the day the statement was put out, Mr Dutton had earlier called for the deportation of temporary visa holders who attend pro-Palestinian rallies, despite no claims non-citizens were involved.
Fronting a Senate estimates hearing on Monday, Mr Burgess said his words were aimed at “all Australians, including myself” and he had no idea why journalists had linked the two items.
He said his organisation was alert but not alarmed at the national security situation given the events in Israel and Palestine, saying “context matters”.
“Australia's terrorism threat level is unchanged, it remains ‘possible’,” he told the hearing.
“ASIO is not seeing evidence of planned violence, although the likelihood of opportunistic violence remains real, particularly if tensions protest and rhetoric increase.”
Thousands took to the streets on Saturday to show support for Palestine, with organisers stating they had worked closely with police to ensure the safety of all involved.
Mr Burgess said peaceful protests, like those at the weekend, were not a threat.
“ASIO is not interested in those who engage in lawful protest, but rather the small subset of protesters who may wish to escalate protests or violence,” he said.
“This includes religiously motivated and ideologically motivated violent extremists, or anyone who believes violence is a means to further their own interests.”
