The attacks on Al Noor and Linwood Mosques in Christchurch, in which 50 people lost their lives, represent the deadliest mass killing in New Zealand’s modern history and the worst terrorist attacks ever carried out by an Australian. The events of 15 March have already prompted large-scale gun reform in New Zealand as well as a Royal Commission into the attacks. More broadly, the attacks have prompted reflection on violent extremism in all its forms – including the kind perpetrated by the far right – and on the nature of far-right extremism as a global movement.

The Lowy Institute hosted a panel discussion which looked at what changes are required at the policy and law enforcement levels to reduce the risk of extremist attacks; whether the Christchurch attack is linked to other far-right and white supremacist movements around the world; the nature of reciprocal extremism and how jihadism and far-right extremism may amplify each other; how online environments contribute to radicalisation; and how the Australian far right fits into the global picture.

The panel featured:

Professor Michele Grossman, Research Chair in Diversity and Community Resilience, Alfred Deakin Institute

Dr Kristy Campion, Lecturer in Terrorism Studies, Charles Sturt University

Dr David Smith, Senior Lecturer in American Politics and Foreign Policy, United States Studies Centre

Lydia Khalil, Lowy Institute Research Fellow, Director of political and security consulting firm Arcana Partners, and specialist in Middle Eastern politics and terrorism (moderator)