Australia’s terrorism threat level has been raised from possible to probable.

The threat level has been raised due to an increased risk of politically motivated violence.

While it has not been raised due to one specific incident, it’s understood there have been multiple incidents in Australia investigated by security officials for possible terrorism links.

The conflict in the Middle East is also understood to have exacerbated concerns by security agencies about politically motivated violence in Australia, although it is not the direct cause of the threat level rising.

It’s the first time the threat level has been raised since 2014 during the height of threats from the terrorist group Islamic State.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said governments worldwide were concerned about online radicalisation and heightened tensions over the war in Gaza.

‘The essence and purpose of our democracy is that we can express our views and respectfully engage in disagreements and respectful debate, resolve our grievances peacefully.

‘When the temperature of the security environment is rising, we must lower the temperature of debate.

‘Because our words and our actions matter.’

Australia’s threat level has been raised due to increased risk of politically motivated violence