In the third of a series reflecting on the Numan Haider shooting, CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS sought the views of Holt federal MP Anthony Byrne.
THERE’S much to be proud of the way the community in the Holt electorate handled the difficult aftermath of Numan Haider’s shooting, says its MP Anthony Byrne.
But this wasn’t reflected in the portrayal of the police officers involved and the Islamic community by “stupid press”, he told Federal Parliament on Thursday 17 September.
It would have been good if “idiots from the media” occasionally wrote about the “incredible work” done by community members rather than “wedge politics” he said in the House of Representatives.
“(The community) did not overreact. They were calm, they were strong, they were resilient and they were committed to community wellbeing.
“Take a leaf from us. We dealt with this situation. It is a pity that this damn press did not actually report that.”
Mr Byrne described the fateful incident at Endeavour Hills Police Station on 23 September – which is being investigated by the State Coroner – as a young man who tried to stab to death two police officers.
“Had he been successful, (he) would then have gone into the … police station (and) tried to kill as many people as he could.
“If it were not for the bravery of two very fine men, an Australian Federal Police officer and a VicPol anti-terrorism officer, he would have been successful.”
He told Parliament he was proud of the police response to what was like a “scene from a horror movie” and to a subsequent Anzac Day terror plot.
He was also proud of the local Afghan community which “came to my office and said ‘what can we do to help? What can we do to prevent this occurring again?’”
Mr Byrne has had ongoing meetings with police, security agencies and Muslim community leaders ever since, he told Star News.
They have talked about how to deal with the threat of Islamic State propaganda and the radicalisation of at-risk young people.
“Community capacity building projects which involve young people at risk is essential,” Mr Byrne said.
“I will be working with the State and Federal Governments to ensure that we get the programs that we need for this area.”
Mr Byrne said he had been determined to restore community confidence after the “great shock” of the Endeavour Hills incident.
The events showed the local community wasn’t immune from terrorism’s reach.
“I am very proud of how we dealt with this.
“The people of Endeavour Hills are a strong, resilient and proud community.
“Life has gone on with this new reality.”
