The unfortunate reality is there may be copy cats who find this way of causing mayhem easy, it can happen anywhere, doesn't have to occur in the CBD. Explosives are hard to obtain in Australia, but cars and trucks are easy to get.
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Afghans came to this country in its early days and made a great contribution.
This is very similar to Anders Behring Breivik’s 2011 right wing killing rampage (85 dead I think) in Norway. Another disaffected misfit.
Previously and probably currently ISIS is very skilled at using media technology to reach out and give people a reason to exist, ie the disaffected, unemployed, mentally ill and others who have nothing to live for except going out in a blaze of glory.
It’s not new and also not too dissimilar to the cannon fodder of the IRA provos. Military tactics are ramping up there too.
The UK and US have home grown converts ready to do similar in the name of Islamic, Christian and right wing extremist ideologies.
Where this bloke came from is not central to the problem. It’s not that simple.
i think its a miracle that noone was killed.
I'm tipping he wasn't a Buddhist. Could be wrong I guess.
:spudnikconfounded:Mod hat firmly on, keep the religion and politics out of it fellows.
I don't really care how Terrorism is defined this bloke should be thrown in jail and then deported after he has finished his time.
A "Nutter" or not he is Not the sort of immigrant that is welcome in Australia.
This bloke deliberately ran over innocent people in what looks like a "Coppycat" action and even if this isn't defined as a terrorist attack it was still a heinous and cowardly thing to do and he should be punished accordingly.
Makes you wonder if the authorities are playing on words by making the call that these people are suffering from mental illness i really wonder on that one :bat:
I don`t get why maybe the loony`s dont get all the virgins at the pearly gates if they are certified crazy[bighmmm]
I see it was reported he was on a mental health programme, but missed his appointment the day of the attack. If that is correct and he is bipolar, but thought he was OK and stopped taking his medication because he thought he didn't need it any more, then his delusions would worsen. This is the real issue and affects many people, mostly born here, so his background is not the issue. Mental health is a huge issue in this country.
The fact remains, had he not been allowed into the country, this event would not have happened.
Why are we importing other country's mental health problems into Australia? As you say, mental health is a huge issue in this country. About three percent of the population have mental health issues and we are only treating about one third of those. We should be looking after the other two thirds before we import more.
This guy should be stripped of his Australian citizenship, thrown in jail and, when his sentence has been served, sent back to Afghanistan. That is the law here in Australia. We apply it to New Zealanders. We should equally apply it to other nationalities.
This is a health issue.
Peak bodies call for mental health reform after Flinders St carnage
Melbourne car crash: Mental health experts call for reform after Flinders Street carnage - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)