We were shocked by two major news items yesterday: the tragic murder of two police officers attending a sex offences call, and the announcement by the Albanese Labor Government and ASIO that Iran was behind the shocking synagogue and cafe terrorist attacks.
First, our heartfelt sympathies go to the Police force and the families affected. Sadly, this major news was overshadowed by the other announcement, with the media placing more attention on the murderer rather than the fallen officers. As much as we can be critical of policing at times, our criticisms are not about the failings of individual officers but about public policy settings that place Police into unnecessary over-policing and unnecessarily dangerous situations in the first place. Catching alleged sex offenders is exactly the kind of good police work that society depends on.
On the Synagogue Terrorist Attack
We thank investigators for their hard work in bringing clarity to this shocking attack against Australia's Jewish community. Notably, even the Greens − usually sceptical of intelligence claims − have backed diplomatic action regarding Iran, suggesting that they may have seen sufficient information through their parliamentary access to support this position.
At the same time, many Australians remain sceptical of the government’s account of the events. What is clear is that division has already been sown − and a lack of transparency contributes to that disunity. When people cannot trust official statements, it undermines credibility and allows confusion to spread.
We recognise that there may be practical limits on how much information can be shared publicly regarding these attacks. We are not commenting on the truthfulness of the claims about who is responsible, nor are we seeking to diminish the value of the official findings for those who find closure in them.
Our focus is on the disunity and confusion that arise when people argue over whether these claims are true, and on enhancing the official findings by ensuring they can be broadly trusted. Clear, trusted investigative processes are critical to prevent doubt from spreading and to maintain public confidence in our institutions, so that people can trust the systems in place regardless of the outcome.
Transparency as National Security
Here at Fusion, we believe in practical solutions that solve problems at the root level.
To ensure transparency and public trust, serious matters of national security and alleged misconduct should be investigated by independent bodies with full security clearance. In addition to strengthening the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and implementing our submission on the upcoming Whistleblower Protection Authority, these investigations could include citizen juries − randomly selected Australians with appropriate clearance − to provide accountability directly to the people.
The lack of trust in government institutions is now becoming a national security issue. People will believe different narratives about what really happened and may take action if they feel threatened. Whether or not Iran was really behind these attacks, their purported goal of sowing division will be achieved if the government continues to act as an untrustworthy entity.
Preparing Australia for an Unstable World
These events remind us that we are living in a time of heightened global instability, including attacks by foreign nations on Australian soil. In such an environment, Australia must be prepared for whatever could come next. That means modernising the Australian Defence Force − not just with new technology, but with transparency and accountability at its core.
Allegations of war crimes have already stained our armed forces. Our troops must be empowered to serve with the utmost honour − so their missions succeed without creating the kind of blowback that dishonours their service or our nation.
By mandating ethical bodyworn cameras for all personnel, the ADF can ensure its actions are clearly documented and accountable, while respecting operational and civilian privacy. This would prepare our forces to deploy with integrity in peacekeeping or other missions, and set a global example: that militaries can operate under independent oversight to ensure the rules of war are followed, without compromising security or trust.
Our Bottom Line
Acts of division, violence, and harm against communities are always wrong. We believe in building a world where people feel safe, valued, and free − so no one is compelled to hurt others.
Our goal is to promote peace, harmony, and shared prosperity. By strengthening trust in institutions, encouraging transparency, and supporting cooperation across communities, we can create a future where conflicts are resolved without violence, differences are respected, and all people have the opportunity to thrive.