Dutton says 'leftwing lunatics' must be dealt with as Asio warns of far-right threat

The home affairs minister declares Islamic terror is leftwing extremism after being blasted by Labor for applying false equivalence

Peter Dutton has declared that "leftwing terrorism" includes Islamist extremism after being blasted by Labor for applying false equivalence in the national security debate.

Dutton's intervention on Tuesday was triggered by a speech by the director general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) Mike Burgess. On Monday night, Australia's top intelligence chief warned the threat of rightwing extremism in Australia was real and growing.