Australia Attacked - Bourke Street Terror Attack

16th November, 2018

This week marked Remembrance Day and the 100 year anniversary of the Armistice. Unfortunately, it will also be remembered for another terrorist attack in Australia, this time in the Bourke Street mall in Melbourne's CBD.

Whilst Philip was helping the Wanneroo RSL to prepare for our Remembrance Day ceremony, a man identified as Hassan Khalif Shire Ali ("Ali"), who along with his family was known to counter terrorism officers drove a 4WD ute loaded with gas bottles into the mall, ignited the vehicle, and whilst it burned then proceeded to attack bystanders who only stopped to help thinking someone was in trouble. Ali stabbed three people with one dying at the scene, with the victim later identified as Sisto Malaspina, the co-owner of Pellegrini's Espresso Bar in Melbourne.

The video of the attack, the lighting of the vehicle, the stabbing of the victims and first responders, and the police shooting and killing of Ali was very confronting and again played out on television screens across Australia.

Unfortunately, terrorism is becoming far too common as Australia continues to see a rise in radical Islamic extremists prepared to carry out attacks against innocent Australians and drive division between Muslims and Non-Muslims in our community. In yet another terrorist attack in Melbourne last year, James Gargasoulas drove a car on Bourke Street running down pedestrians killing six and injuring many more.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison called out during a press conference (see below) radical, violent, extremist Islam saying it's the biggest religious threat to Australia and that radical Islam threatens Australia's way of life.

Following the PM's interview, Anne Aly MP (Member for Cowan) held an interview on Sky News (see below) and accused the Prime Minister of using the terror attack for political gain and linking the attack to domestic violence.

This caused much division across Australia, including within the Cowan electorate and Senators Pauline Hanson and Derryn Hinch were subsequently interviewed on Channel 7's Sunrise (see below) and both responded to the terrorist attack and Anne Aly's comments.

Most importantly, Philip and Terri extends their thoughts and prayers to the innocent people who were again injured and killed as part of the latest terrorist attack, and their deepest sympathies to the family of Sisto Malaspina who were now preparing a funeral.

Philip also agrees with our Prime Minister and believes we need to stand up to radical Islamic extremists, and their ability to incite others to carry out attacks against innocent civilians, and cause division between Muslims and Non-Muslims. We must remain ever vigilant.

Philip Couper

(Source Sky News)

(Source Sky News)

(Source Channel 7)