Opposition leader Peter Dutton has called for an independent assessment of a communications breakdown involving Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over a failed Sydney terror plot, as both leaders face-off during Lunar New Year.
The Prime Minister was reportedly not informed about the discovery of a caravan packed with explosives and addresses of Jewish sites by a Dural resident on January 19 until Wednesday, when news of the shocking find first broke.
In Melbourne alongside the PM for the Chine New Year festivities at Box Hill, Mr Dutton questioned why NSW Premier Chris Minns, who was briefed on January 20, did not raise the discovery with Mr Albanese until news broke.
“What does that mean for our national security?” Mr Dutton told the media.
“I think it’s unsettling to be honest.
“Every Prime Minister I’ve known – both Liberal and Labor – have taken seriously their obligation to keep Australians safe.
“If this Prime Minister wasn’t notified – effectively, until the public was notified – that is without precedent.
“I think the PM should appoint an eminent Australian from the from the law enforcement and intelligence community to have a transparent look at what has failed here.
“Because, we can’t have what could have been the most catastrophic terrorist event in our country’s history, and the prime minister doesn’t know until the public does.”
Mr Dutton earlier called for “some transparency for what’s gone wrong here”, and said the Prime Minister did not “have an instinct for” or interest in national security.
It comes as both leaders made duelling announcements at the Lunar New Year event at Box Hill.
Joined by Victorian Liberal MPs, Mr Dutton announced $250,000 to support the Box Hill Lunar Festival if he became PM.
Mr Dutton said the funds would ensure “this iconic celebration continues for the next five years”.
“We’re also proud to fund a memorial sculpture honouring the service and sacrifice of Australians of Chinese descent who have served our nation,” he said.
Mr Albanese meanwhile spruiked an $15,000 federal grant for Whitehorse Council’s Lunar New Year celebrations.
“What a beautiful celebration in Box Hill in Melbourne,” Mr Albanese said on X.
“The contribution of the Chinese Australian community is something to celebrate every day of the year.
“I will never take your community, or your contribution to our nation, for granted.”
Chinese Australians will be crucial to the outcome in the seat of Menzies, which takes in the suburb of Box Hill.
The seat is currently held by Liberal MP Keith Wolahan.
More to come.
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