By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
LABOR candidate for La Trobe Simon Curtis has labelled Jason Wood’s plan to deter at-risk young people from turning to extremism as “irresponsible.”
Earlier this month, Jason Wood told the Australian parliament he looks forward to launching a program that will deter young people from violent extremism.
He believes the innovative ‘MYHACK’ program will “disrupt the process of radicalisation before it becomes a danger to our society as a whole,” according to Mr Wood.
The project will provide young people who are at risk of turning to ‘violent extremism’ with the opportunity to find a solution to the issue. This will be done through a series of workshops with those involved provided with a platform for expressing themselves and their concerns.
However, Mr Curtis said last week he disagreed with Mr Wood’s approach on the issue.
“I think we need to be careful that Members of Parliament aren’t involved in a scaremonger.
“It’s an attack on Australians by Australians, and we do need to do something about that, but labelling a particular demographic within an electorate as an ‘at-risk area’ is irresponsible.”
He said elected representatives should be focusing on more prevalent issues.
“It’s a good thing to have access, just as it is important to have access to information about domestic violence where far more people are being killed.
“Women are more likely to be killed at home by a partner than by a terrorist.
“Domestic violence is something far more prevalent in our community than terrorism. We need to see a better response by government on this.”
Mr Wood began working with Dr Anne Aly, an academic expert in the field, after he was contacted by constituents with concerns about the radicalisation of young people in the area.
“Following our meeting in Canberra, I though the concept of youth being the agents of change for their own generation was great.
“The great aspect of this program is that the young people come up with practical solutions – particularly when it comes to online solutions which is the space that Deash primarily use to recruit our youth.”
Mr Wood, who spent time in the counter-terrorism unit of Victoria Police, also said the government was taking practical measures to minimise the threat to Australians.
“We’re working to strip dual citizens of their Australian Citizenship if they are promoting hate speech, we’re working to hold those who take action as foreign fighters accountable for their actions by denying re-entry into Australia if possible and charging them for criminal behaviour if they are allowed re-entry.”
