Dutton calls for encryption crackdown after Queensland tragedy

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called for a crackdown on the use of encrypted messaging apps after the shooting tragedy in which two police officers and a local man were among six dead after an apparent ambush and siege at a remote Queensland property on Monday. 

A former principal, his brother and sister-in-law were shot dead by police at Wieambilla in the western Darling Downs region.

Dutton, a former Queensland police officer and home affairs minister, was speaking about the siege and murders on Thursday morning before the extra sitting of Parliament where MPs planned to move a condolence motion for the victims. 

The Liberal leader was asked whether authorities and the public should be alarmed by the “anti-government, anti-authoritarian conspiracy theory sort of rhetoric” espoused by one of the dead brothers. 

“Like we’ve seen in recent years, the spread of disinformation on the internet and the way in which that infects people’s minds and changes their whole persona, their whole perspective, and causes them to commit or contributes at least to them committing extreme acts should be of concern to any right-thinking Australian,” Dutton said.

“So this is why we’ve had a debate in recent years about encryption, where there are messages and encrypted messaging apps, and an exchange of information, of disinformation, between these groups.

“I mean, we only know what we’ve seen publicly in relation to the incident in Queensland. So no doubt all of that investigation is still underway. But it should be a real concern.”

He said the opposition would support “any measures” from the government that would have the effect of holding online platforms to account: “If a court issues a warrant, that information should be discoverable by police.”

Dutton’s comments come after Queensland Police flagged that an inquiry into the shooting would include an investigation of the perpetrators’ online activity. So far no information has been made public about whether the shooters had used encrypted messaging apps, but one brother’s history of comments on fringe Australian conspiracy websites and forums has come to light.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the dead police officers earlier in the week: “This is not a price that anyone who puts on the uniform should ever pay. We can never count the true cost. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of all those affected by this tragedy.”