Australian terror attacks | MP Cathy McGowan urges Indi to keep calm and 'be our best selves'

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CATHY McGowan has called on the Indi community to keep calm and “be our best selves” in the face of heightened fears of terrorism.

It comes as Prime Minister Tony Abbott continues to consider committing forces to Iraq — a decision Ms McGowan says should have been first debated in Parliament — and the federal government expanded its anti-terror laws to grant ASIO sweeping new surveillance powers.

The tumultuous week, particularly following the shooting of 18-year-old terrorist suspect Numan Haider in Melbourne, prompted Ms McGowan to yesterday speak out.

“It’s really easy for people to get caught up in polarising opinions about this and I would call on the people of Indi to be their best selves,” she told The Border Mail.

“We are a compassionate, caring society but it can be really easy to jump into judgmental mode without knowing all the details and all the facts.

“This is a time in Australia when we need some wisdom, we need to not inflame things by talking about it in a reckless way.

“Clearly the government is concerned, people are concerned and we need the community to come with us and be outreaching in kindness and generosity rather than blame.”

Ms McGowan said many constituents had approached her with concerns about the tense situation unfolding in the Middle East, and the fear of terrorism threats at home.

Though any decision to send in troops to Iraq was that of the executive, Ms McGowan said she believed it should be made in Parliament.

“There’s an overwhelming sense from Indi that we don’t want to go to war, but we do want to help,” she said, referring to humanitarian efforts.

A bill allowing sweeping intelligence powers to ASIO, which has garnered widespread criticism, is likely to be voted upon in the House of Representatives next week after passing the Senate on Thursday night.

Ms McGowan said she had not looked at the bill in detail, but she would likely support it as it had bi-partisan support.

She also welcomed the reintroduction of temporary protection visas and encouraged Australia to welcome more refugees.

“It’s a lot better than keeping people locked up on Chrsitmas Island,” she said.