http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/iraq_australia_attacks<snip>
SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia's newly re-elected government has conceded for the first time its decision to participate in the Iraq (news - web sites) conflict may have increased the terrorist threat to its national interests.
The admission, by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, followed a warning by Australia's intelligence chief that the conflict had given Osama bin Laden (news - web sites)'s al-Qaeda propaganda and recruitment opportunities and may have motivated terrorists in Australia.
Downer, who prior to the October 9 election maintained that there was no evidence to suggest involvement in Iraq increased the risk to Australia, said it was possible some sympathisers of extremist Islamist ideology in Australia could be motivated by Iraq.
"If there are people in Australia who believe in this sort of Taliban-style Wahabist extremist ideology and they see Iraq becoming a democracy then that may activate them and energise them," Downer said.