(Sydney Morning Herald) New research has painted a chilling portrait of the “average” Australian Islamist terrorist by creating a database [of] about 173 citizens or residents who have been charged with terrorist offences or joined terrorist organisations.
An Australian terrorist is likely to share several characteristics. He is likely to be in his mid-20s from Sydney, born in Australia to overseas-born parents who are still married (with one or both from Lebanon). He is likely to be employed in a blue-collar job and not to have mental health issues.
He is likely to have little contrition for his crimes and poor prospects for rehabilitation.
The Lowy Institute study published on Thursday found the popular perception of an Australian jihadi was wrong, and there were clear differences between Australian Islamist terrorists and those who came from Western Europe.
