West Australian academic Anne Aly, who founded the group People Against Violent Extremism, which relies largely on volunteers, said the government had missed a vital opportunity to help community leaders deal with scores of known extremists whose passports were cancelled.
“I think the process is taking too long,” Dr Aly said.
“I understand government bureaucracy, but really when there is a matter of urgency like this, you would think that the government would put more effort towards it.
“They’ve managed to put together legislation about the remov*al of passports, increased surveillance of returned foreign fighters … but those measures are not being balanced out by any prevention measures.”
Last August, the federal government announced that $13.4m would be allocated to countering violent extremism as part of a wider $630m counter-terrorism package. The funds were specifically aimed at strengthening community engagement programs.
The government is yet to announce any concrete plans for that money, though it is preparing in coming weeks to announce a strategy that directly targets known extremists. Funding for counselling, rehabilitation and social support services are also expected to be in the offing.
“What we are questioning is the sense of priority,” Dr Rifi said. “The type of people whose passports have been confiscated have been roaming the street and they are forming a fan base around them, taking the high moral ground, using intimidation strategies, and no one is engaging with them.”
Sydney-based Social Justice Network president Jamal Daoud, a moderate who describes himself as a secular Sunni, said those fighting extremism on the ground had been the target of intimidation and physical attack by terrorist supporters yet had received little support from authorities.
“A lot of people in the community a the moment are giving up any hope of co-operating with authorities,” Mr Daoud said.
“It’s very alarming. It seems there is no plan.”
The Attorney-General’s Department has held discussions with both Dr Rifi and Dr Aly on the design of initiatives under new counter-terrorism programs.
It is understood funding applications will shortly be accepted.
The government has also funded Dr Aly’s People Against Violent Extremism organisation to develop the Walk Away from Violent Extremism campaign.
The government said yesterday that its Countering Violent Extremism Program was “on schedule for implementation”.
“This work cannot succeed without the support of the community and the active involvement of leaders of the Muslim community,” said a spokeswoman for the federal Attorney-General, George Brandis.