Prevention better than cure, social cohesion is key

The Australian Greens are pushing for a comprehensive plan to strengthen Australian society and help make all Australians safer at home, announcing legislation to establish an independent national body to build social cohesion and prevent extremism. The Australian Centre for Social Cohesion (ACSC) would be tasked with overseeing the development and implementation of key preventative programs that combat social exclusion and stop young Australians from becoming radicalised.

"Prevention is much better than cure when it comes to keeping us all safe from risks associated with terrorism, Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

"Building a cohesive, tolerant and inclusive community in Australia should be the government's top priority to protect Australia's much loved multiculturalism.

"If Tony Abbott and the Labor party are serious about making Australians safer they should invest in programs that bring young Australians of all walks of life together. Money to build communities rather than to implement divisive new laws is what is required.

"Meanwhile, Tony Abbott is increasing the risk of terror acts at home by blindly following the US into yet another unwinnable war in the Middle East.

"Tony Abbott is allocating millions to a war without a plan, and at the same time slashing every program he can that protects multiculturalism and a cohesive society.

"If Tony Abbott refuses to back the Greens move for measures to build social cohesion then his hypocrisy on national security will be fully exposed.

"Tony Abbott's decision to take Australia into another war in the Middle East is making Australia less safe and it will achieve absolutely nothing for a lasting peace in Iraq but risks ripping apart our social cohesion. He cannot be allowed to get away with it.

Attached: Acts of terror in Australia: Prevention better than cure, The Greens plan to build social cohesion