Questions have been raised about the effectiveness of deradicalisation programmes after a university student was stabbed in the neck by a 14-year-old boy accused of planning a terrorist attack at a school last year.
The teenager, wearing a military camouflage uniform, approached the 22-year-old man from behind and allegedly stabbed him in the neck and back near the main entrance of the University of Sydney on Tuesday morning.
The teenager, who had injured his hand in the alleged attack, was arrested as he took a bus to the same hospital where his victim was being treated.
It has been revealed that the 14-year-old was charged with planning a terror attack at an inner-city Sydney school last September.
He allegedly made violent threats to classmates that referenced the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting in New Zealand that left 51 people dead.
The charges were dismissed in Surry Hills Youth Court on mental health grounds in February this year, and the teenager entered a deradicalisation programme.
On Wednesday morning, Sunrise presenter Natalia Barr asked former police detective Peter Moroney whether ongoing support and monitoring was necessary after such programmes ended.
Barr asked former police detective Peter Moroney whether deradicalization programs were working after a 14-year-old boy, known to police, stabbed a 22-year-old student on Tuesday.
Paramedics attended the college at around 8.35am and took the student by ambulance to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (pictured, police take evidence from the scene)
“My understanding is that these deradicalization programs are federally funded and state-run,” he said. “Do we need to re-examine what happens after them? Because I think this kid only participated in one five months ago.”
“It would be an opportune time, especially in light of the three or four young men who have been arrested in the last six months,” Moroney said.
It never hurts to stop and ask yourself: Have we done this right? Is there anything else we could be doing?
“From the Australian government’s perspective, we’re investing over $150 million in these deradicalisation programs. We want to know, as an average taxpayer, whether they’re working. Are they doing what they should be doing?
“And if not, we need to ask those questions and hold these systems and processes accountable.”
“Yes, just ask the poor family of the 22-year-old who was stabbed in the neck yesterday at Sydney University,” Barr said.
Mr Moroney said the programmes could be effective, but greater monitoring was vital.
“The most worrying thing about these children is their age,” he said.
‘At some point they will be part of an educational center, they will probably be enrolled in school, whether they attend or not.
‘Deradicalisation programmes are one-off programmes, so while they may go through that programme, they may get what they need while they are in the programme, once they conclude the programme, what follow-up and support do they receive?
“If we fall into that cycle again, we’ll start over and end up where we are now.”
The image shows the 14-year-old boy arriving at the university wearing a military-style camouflage uniform.
Forensic experts are seen searching the university entrance for clues on Tuesday.
NSW Police sources told media that terrorism was a likely motive for the attack.
New South Wales Police, the Australian Federal Police and other government agencies are working together on the investigation.
The teenager and his alleged victim did not know each other.
Photos of the deserted campus showed a backpack and a padded jacket lying at the entrance next to what appeared to be a blood stain.
University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Mark Scott said he was “shocked and saddened” by the incident and said support had been offered to the victim’s family.
A university spokesman said security at the university had been stepped up.
“As a precautionary measure, there may be increased security and police presence on campus while investigations continue,” he said.
‘The safety and well-being of our students, staff and community members is our priority and we continue to work with law enforcement.
‘Our support services are available to anyone who needs help. You can access free, confidential advice and wellbeing support 24/7 with Student Wellbeing by visiting the health and wellbeing webpage. Lifeline also offers 24-hour support via text, online chat or by calling 13 11 14.’
