In the latter months of 2014, following events in faraway Iraq and Syria, Australia responded forcefully at home. The manufactured fear of a terrorist attack resulted in police raids, increased counter‐terrorism legislation and scare campaigns to alert the public to 'threat'. 

Although Islamophobia rose in Australia after 2001 it has been latent in recent years. It is on the rise again with collateral damage from government measures including verbal and physical attacks on Australian Muslims. Vitriol is also directed at asylum seekers and refugees. Media, government and community discourses converge to promote Islam as dangerous and deviant. 

Hate engendered by the attacks in the US in 2001 has continually festered but ongoing fear and opportunism has allowed it to be unrestrained in government, media and public discourse.