Security and defence

Extraterritorial strikes against terrorists

Concern about non-traditional security threats appears to have eclipsed that of traditional security threats for Australians in 2020. COVID-19 and ‘drought and water shortages’ are seen as the top threats to Australia’s vital interests in the next ten years. Traditional threats such as international terrorism and Iran's nuclear program have moved from the forefront of the Australian public's mind, whereas concern about 'a severe downturn in the global economy' has risen by 20 points, with 71% saying that it poses a critical threat. Following the bushfire crisis over the Australian summer, six in ten Australians see 'environmental disasters such as bushfires and floods' (67%) and climate change (59%) as critical threats. Australians are feeling extremely anxious in 2020, with only 50% of the country saying they feel safe, a sizeable 28-point drop from 2018.

Security and defence
Extraterritorial strikes against terrorists

Question

If we believed that terrorists based in another country were going to launch an attack against Australia, and if the other country could not or would not take action to stop them, should we have the right to strike directly at the terrorists?

This question was asked in 2005.

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