has called for an end to the politicisation of antisemitic attacks while declining to reveal when he was briefed on the discovery of a caravan filled with explosives in Sydney's north., which were found with a note indicating they were intended for an antisemitic attack, on Wednesday, 10 days after they were discovered in Dural.Today, Albanese was asked whether it was appropriate that Minns, who according to the Sydney Morning Herald was briefed on the matter a day after the discovery, was informed about the investigation before him.
Anthony Albanese has called for an end to the politicisation of antisemitic attacks. (Chris Hopkins)"What's correct protocol is making sure that we don't speak about operational matters," the prime minister said."I addressed this yesterday, I have no intention of undermining an ongoing investigation by going into the details."Asked if he was not briefed on the investigation, he gave a similar answer."I have not said that. I have said that I do not comment," Albanese said."I can't be clearer… I'll say the same thing tomorrow. I do not talk about operational matters for an ongoing investigation."
Chris Minns was reportedly briefed on the investigation before the prime minister. (Rhett Wyman)Albanese had held a national cabinet meeting on rising antisemitic attacks on January 21 – two days after the discovery – but the meeting was not briefed on the caravan investigation.The Coalition and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have repeatedly criticised Albanese over his response to the rise of antisemitic attacks, and have said national cabinet should have been briefed on the discovery of the explosives."This should not be the source of political debate and I note that the Coalition have said as well that they wouldn't change the protocols that have been in place for a long period of time," the prime minister said when asked about that criticism today."The idea that you make public pronouncements about something that is an ongoing investigation is, of course, entirely inappropriate, because as the police have made very clear, both state and federal, the priority is those ongoing investigations."
Peter Dutton has denied he is politicising antisemitic attacks. (Photo: Glenn Hunt)Those comments come a day after NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb criticised a leak and media report about the explosives before it was publicly announced."The fact that this information is now in the public domain has compromised our investigation and it's been detrimental to some of the strategies we may have used," Webb said.Dutton has previously denied politicising the issue, telling reporters yesterday that "when we've had a terrorist attack that's just been thwarted, that had the potential to kill hundreds of people and blow up a synagogue and other Jewish interests, I don't think it's politicising it to talk about it".