Australian Embassy
Thailand

PR2016_Keenan_visit

                                                       The Hon Michael Keenan MP

         Minister for Justice Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Counter Terrorism

                                                                  MEDIA RELEASE

                                            Bilateral visit to Thailand and Malaysia

20 January 2016

The Australian Government is concerned about the growing influence of ISIL in the South East Asian region and has been working with our regional allies to deliver a coordinated response to this transnational threat.

On Thursday I will travel to Thailand and Malaysia to attend the International Conference on Deradicalisation and Countering Violent Extremism and meet with Ministerial counterparts to discuss counter-terrorism and strengthen our ongoing law enforcement cooperation.

I have been invited by the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to share Australia’s approach to countering violent extremism and our experiences in the rehabilitation of radicalised and extremist individuals at the Conference.

We know that violent extremism is not a problem unique to one country; nations across our region are working together to adapt to this challenge.

The Conference in Malaysia will bring together representatives from Southeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the US to share lessons learned from responding to violent extremism.

In Thailand, I will discuss the need for ongoing regional cooperation to counter violent extremism and identify areas for future cooperation

I will also meet with officers from the Royal Thai Police for a briefing on their response to the Erawan Shrine bombing as well as Thailand’s broader counter-terrorism initiatives.

It is more important than ever that we, as an international community, work together to implement effective counter terrorism measures to protect our citizens and preserve the values that we all hold dear.

Australia cannot address this threat alone. Collective and regional efforts are needed.

Media contact: Shannen Wilkinson 0476 820 816


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