AFP taskforce to target antisemitism as Asio boss warns politically motivated violence a ‘principal’ concern

Attorney general says now a time for national unity' after PM defends Labor's response to Melbourne synagogue fire

• Peter Dutton accused of disgusting' political point-scoring after synagogue fire - then attacks Jewish Labor MP
• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

A special taskforce is investigating antisemitism in Australia after the terrorist arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue, as Australia's intelligence chief warns of ugly dynamics" and politically motivated violence related to conflicts in the Middle East.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) director general, Mike Burgess, urged all Australians to watch our words", raising concerns about rhetoric leading to inflamed tensions. The attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, said Friday's fire at the Adass Israel called for a time for national unity", in a veiled swipe at the Coalition's escalating criticism of the government after Peter Dutton levelled an extraordinary attack at Labor MP Josh Burns.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email