Asio warns against inflamed language over Middle East amid concern of ‘opportunistic violence’

Mike Burgess issues rare public statement asking all parties consider the implications for social cohesion'

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An Australian intelligence chief has urged leaders to safeguard social cohesion amid bloodshed in the Middle East, warning that inflamed language" may fuel community tensions.

The head of Asio, Mike Burgess, issued a rare public statement to say Australia's terrorism threat level had not increased, but his agency was concerned about the potential for opportunistic violence with little or no warning".