Event: Australia’s counter-terrorism strategy

The Hon Michael Keenan MP, the Minister for Justice and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Counter-Terrorism, will address the Lowy Institute on 24 July 2015 to discuss Australia’s counter-terrorism strategy. The address will focus on the new wave of terrorism facing Australia, and the steps the Australian Government is taking to counter it, particularly through the Countering Violent Extremism program. 
 
Mr Keenan was elected to the House of Representatives for Stirling, Western Australia in 2004. He held the position of Shadow Minister for Justice, Customs and Border Protection for four years before becoming the Minister in 2013. He has served on numerous committees including the Joint Select Committee on the Christmas Island Tragedy from March to June 2011 and the Joint Select Committee on Australia's Immigration Detention Network from June 2011 to March 2012. Before entering Parliament, Mr Keenan was the ministerial adviser to the ACT Deputy Chief Minister between 1996 and 1998. He held various positions with the Judge Institute of Management, Cambridge University and the London Daily Telegraph from 1998 to 1999, and was the ministerial adviser to the Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator the Hon Amanda Vanstone from 2001 to 2003. Mr Keenan was educated at Murdoch University, the Australian National University and Cambridge University. He holds degrees in History and Politics and a Masters in Philosophy in International Relations.