International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 9, 2018 41
problem. So a new unit in NSW (based on a
Queensland precedent announced in anticipation
of the release of the NSW Coroner’s report on
the Lindt Café siege see State Coroner of NSW,
2017), called the Fixated Persons Investigations
Unit, has been tasked to “focus on the detection,
intervention and prevention of so-called ‘lone
actor’ and ‘fixated person’ threats” (NSW Police
Force, April 25, 2017, Facebook post). This unit
is intended as a “resource for parents worried
about their children being dangerously
influenced” and targets “people so driven by
religious, political, ideological or mental health
issues that they threaten others” (NSW Police
Force, 2017). In addition, the unit “includes a
combination of experienced police officers and
mental health workers, who will work
collaboratively with established Counter
Terrorism resources” (NSW Police Force, 2017).
This development indicates that the penny has
finally dropped and policymakers are now
attempting to develop discrete pathways for
complaint that rely on the human intelligence
that is best placed to identify a problem. The
change incorporates the long-neglected
involvement of mental health workers in the
equation, although relevant experience and
specialization will be a continuing challenge
(Berkovic, 2015). However, whether parents and
friends of indoctrinated children will have
sufficient confidence in a law enforcement based
unit to access any help it might be competent to
provide remains to be seen (Davey, 2015).
434F
17
At the Commonwealth level, the government
has recently issued a tender for a new
Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Services
Panel, “to provide a robust and agile panel of
suppliers, available to the whole of government,
that demonstrates an understanding of CVE
policies and issues nationally and
internationally” (AusTender, 2017).
435F
18 Although
17 Unfortunately, early indications are that the NSW initiative is
struggling to win the hearts and minds of its target audience,
precisely because of its close links to law enforcement. For further
details, see McGowan (2017).
18 “AusTender provides centralized publication of Australian
Government business opportunities, annual procurement plans,
multi-use lists and contracts awarded” (AusTender,
https://www.tenders.gov.au).
the short timeframe on the tender suggests the
Commonwealth might have possible suppliers in
mind, it is interesting to note the comment that
“no responses are being sought from Potential
Suppliers at this time” on items that may include
“policy,” “program design,” and most
significantly, “intervention services”
(AusTender, 2017). It seems that playing catch-
up in this problematic policy area is still very
much a work in progress.
References
Angus, C. (Jan 2016). Radicalisation and violent extremism:
Causes and responses. NSW Parliamentary Research Services e-
brief. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/
researchpapers/Documents/radicalisation-and-violent-extremism-
causes-and-/Radicalisation%20eBrief.pdf
AusTender. (Apr 2017). Closed ATM view—CVES/2017/01.
Australian Government. Retrieved from https://
www.tenders.gov.au/?event=public.atm.showClosed&ATMUUID
=22F7D152-A936-E818-1844FE20D5094919
Benson, S. (Nov 2, 2016). Terrorists to remain locked up. The
Daily Telegraph (Sydney).
Berkovic, N. (Oct 26, 2015). Cops should send radicalised teen
suspects for mental health aid. The Australian,
Blair, T. (Oct 24, 2016). Helpful hints for Xenophon’s nutjob
busters.” Daily Telegraph, 24 October 2016. Retrieved from
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/tim-blair-
assange-triggs-are-a-double-debacle-for-the-left/news-
story/2c0693bc6447d9c01f639a250b76fb90
Church of the New Faith v. Commissioner of Pay-Roll Tax
(Victoria). CLR, 120 (High Court of Australia, 1983).
The Commissioner Hindu Religious Endowments Madras v. Sri
Lakshmindra Thirtha Swamiar of Sri Shirur Mutt. SCR, 1005
(Indian Supreme Court, 1954).
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1). (Cth)
2016. Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government.
Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/
C2016A00082
Criminal Code Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Act
(Cth). (2016). Federal Register of Legislation, Australian
Government. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.au/
Details/C2016A00095
Davey, M. (Jan 16, 2015). Muslim leaders ‘fear of security
agencies’ is preventing counselling against extremism. The
Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/australia-
news/2015/jan/16/fearful-of-security-agencies-muslim-leaders-
refuse-to-counsel-against-extremism
Fenech, G. (2011). President of Miviludes. Presentation at Cults in
Australia: Facing the Realities conference. Parliament House,
Canberra, Australia, November 2.
Government of Australia. (2015). Living Safe Together:
Preventing Violent Extremism and Radicalisation in Australia.
Baton, ACT: Attorney-General’s Department.
problem. So a new unit in NSW (based on a
Queensland precedent announced in anticipation
of the release of the NSW Coroner’s report on
the Lindt Café siege see State Coroner of NSW,
2017), called the Fixated Persons Investigations
Unit, has been tasked to “focus on the detection,
intervention and prevention of so-called ‘lone
actor’ and ‘fixated person’ threats” (NSW Police
Force, April 25, 2017, Facebook post). This unit
is intended as a “resource for parents worried
about their children being dangerously
influenced” and targets “people so driven by
religious, political, ideological or mental health
issues that they threaten others” (NSW Police
Force, 2017). In addition, the unit “includes a
combination of experienced police officers and
mental health workers, who will work
collaboratively with established Counter
Terrorism resources” (NSW Police Force, 2017).
This development indicates that the penny has
finally dropped and policymakers are now
attempting to develop discrete pathways for
complaint that rely on the human intelligence
that is best placed to identify a problem. The
change incorporates the long-neglected
involvement of mental health workers in the
equation, although relevant experience and
specialization will be a continuing challenge
(Berkovic, 2015). However, whether parents and
friends of indoctrinated children will have
sufficient confidence in a law enforcement based
unit to access any help it might be competent to
provide remains to be seen (Davey, 2015).
434F
17
At the Commonwealth level, the government
has recently issued a tender for a new
Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Services
Panel, “to provide a robust and agile panel of
suppliers, available to the whole of government,
that demonstrates an understanding of CVE
policies and issues nationally and
internationally” (AusTender, 2017).
435F
18 Although
17 Unfortunately, early indications are that the NSW initiative is
struggling to win the hearts and minds of its target audience,
precisely because of its close links to law enforcement. For further
details, see McGowan (2017).
18 “AusTender provides centralized publication of Australian
Government business opportunities, annual procurement plans,
multi-use lists and contracts awarded” (AusTender,
https://www.tenders.gov.au).
the short timeframe on the tender suggests the
Commonwealth might have possible suppliers in
mind, it is interesting to note the comment that
“no responses are being sought from Potential
Suppliers at this time” on items that may include
“policy,” “program design,” and most
significantly, “intervention services”
(AusTender, 2017). It seems that playing catch-
up in this problematic policy area is still very
much a work in progress.
References
Angus, C. (Jan 2016). Radicalisation and violent extremism:
Causes and responses. NSW Parliamentary Research Services e-
brief. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/
researchpapers/Documents/radicalisation-and-violent-extremism-
causes-and-/Radicalisation%20eBrief.pdf
AusTender. (Apr 2017). Closed ATM view—CVES/2017/01.
Australian Government. Retrieved from https://
www.tenders.gov.au/?event=public.atm.showClosed&ATMUUID
=22F7D152-A936-E818-1844FE20D5094919
Benson, S. (Nov 2, 2016). Terrorists to remain locked up. The
Daily Telegraph (Sydney).
Berkovic, N. (Oct 26, 2015). Cops should send radicalised teen
suspects for mental health aid. The Australian,
Blair, T. (Oct 24, 2016). Helpful hints for Xenophon’s nutjob
busters.” Daily Telegraph, 24 October 2016. Retrieved from
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/tim-blair-
assange-triggs-are-a-double-debacle-for-the-left/news-
story/2c0693bc6447d9c01f639a250b76fb90
Church of the New Faith v. Commissioner of Pay-Roll Tax
(Victoria). CLR, 120 (High Court of Australia, 1983).
The Commissioner Hindu Religious Endowments Madras v. Sri
Lakshmindra Thirtha Swamiar of Sri Shirur Mutt. SCR, 1005
(Indian Supreme Court, 1954).
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1). (Cth)
2016. Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government.
Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/
C2016A00082
Criminal Code Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Act
(Cth). (2016). Federal Register of Legislation, Australian
Government. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.au/
Details/C2016A00095
Davey, M. (Jan 16, 2015). Muslim leaders ‘fear of security
agencies’ is preventing counselling against extremism. The
Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/australia-
news/2015/jan/16/fearful-of-security-agencies-muslim-leaders-
refuse-to-counsel-against-extremism
Fenech, G. (2011). President of Miviludes. Presentation at Cults in
Australia: Facing the Realities conference. Parliament House,
Canberra, Australia, November 2.
Government of Australia. (2015). Living Safe Together:
Preventing Violent Extremism and Radicalisation in Australia.
Baton, ACT: Attorney-General’s Department.
