Terrorism and the 9/11 Anniversary - We Will Never Forget

11th September, 2017

On the 11 September 2001 (16 years ago) the world forever changed when a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks occurred against the United States of America, Australia's ally, partner and friend.

The attacks were carried out by nineteen (19) Al-Qaeda terrorists using four airplanes belonging to United and American Airlines. They resulted in 2,996 people being murdered, over 6,000 people being injured, and infrastructure and property damage in excess of $10 billion including the collapse of both 110 story towers of the World Trade Centre in New York, the partial collapse of the west side of the Pentagon and the loss of Flight 93 which crashed into a field in Stonycreek near Shanksville Pennsylvania.

Most importantly, the attack was aimed at frustrating and causing fear to not only Americans and their way of life, but all countries that expressed a view different to that of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic militants that carried out the attacks. This also included Australia, and the way of life of my fellow Australians.

Because of the attacks, the war on terror commenced and many countries, including Australia strengthened our anti-terrorism legislation and the powers of our security and intelligence services due to the increased threat that now existed.

Unfortunately, we are not immune to either terrorist activity and/ or threats, and whilst we remember the events of 9/11, we must never forget and with the construction of One World Trade Center and the opening of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, it's a reminder that we must be forever vigilant in order to protect Australia, my fellow Australians and our way of life.

There's no room for hate and intolerance, and likewise there's no room for an inconsistent extreme religious ideology that conflicts with Australian laws, or underpins the fabric and safety of our society, or our Australian way of life.

Philip Couper