Australian Muslims could go online and challenge those promoting violent jihad in a bid to tackle growing radicalisation, a new study suggests.
The study by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) said Australia, like other western nations faced the problem of a rising number of young disaffected Muslims.
These young Muslims could be persuaded to adopt a militant and violent version of Islam and perhaps resort to terrorist attacks.
The study said Australian security authorities faced the difficult task of identifying self-radicalised cleanskins, individuals not on any police or security service watch list and with no links to known militant groups, but who identified with Islamism and proceeded rapidly to jihadist violence.
"Such leaderless subversion does not necessarily require meetings with other terrorist operatives or training at an overseas camp, but can take place via the internet or through access to a spiritual sanctioner," ASPI said.
To counter this threat other nations have developed a range of strategies aimed at identifying extremists, engaging with the Muslim community and encouraging its commitment to the wider community.
Australia, with a population of 340,000 Muslims, is also developing such policies.
ASPI said Australian security authorities faced a radicalised home-grown Islamism that had yet to develop the capability of its equivalent in the United Kingdom and Holland.
"In order, therefore, to ensure that the threat is both contained and over time negated, security, police and national leaders will need to reassure the majority of Australian Muslims that they can practice their faith freely and that they have a place within a pluralist Australian society," ASPI said.
"Integrated into wider social networks, Australian Muslims are less likely to experience the rejection and alienation that Islamists seek to exploit."
ASPI said Australia could draw on the experience of other nations.
It suggested formation of an Australian Muslim national security forum to boost cooperation between police and the Muslim community.
Over time that could establish a dedicated youth council which could play a key role in detecting those prone to radicalisation.
"Increasing numbers of young Australian Muslims are turning to the internet for information on Islam and for radicalisation," ASPI said.
"The forum might encourage Muslims who reject violence to participate in internet forums and challenge those defending violence or martyrdom in the Australian Islamic community.
"Ultimately, it is Australian Muslims who are best placed to recognise and resist the dangers of jihadism and terrorism at an early stage."