Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has quashed suggestions of increasing Australia’s military action in Syria and Iraq, while the world continues to react to the Paris terrorist attacks.

In a statement to the House of Representatives on national security, Mr Turnbull outlined Australia’s approach to a “resolution” to the turmoil in Syria and the Middle East.

“There are currently no plans for a significant change in the level or the nature of Australia’s military commitment in Iraq and Syria,” Mr Turnbull said.

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“Australia’s contribution to the Coalition forces on the ground in Iraq is second only to that of the United States, and large relative to our population and proximity to the conflict.

He confirmed there was little appetite or consenus among world leaders for a US-led Coalition to increase its military presence in Syria and Iraq.

Scroll to the bottom to watch Mr Turnbull’s full speech

He said the approach from the West must be a “patient, painstaking [and] full-spectrum strategy” process, focusing on a “political solution”.

“Ultimately a political solution is needed in Syria. Only this would allow attention to turn more fully to eliminating ISIL [Islamic State] as a military force.”

In the past two weeks, both former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and ex-defence minister Kevin Andrews publicly called for Australia to send ground troops into Syria to fight Islamic State.

Mr Turnbull warned that both Australia and South-East Asia are in real danger of being hit by an attack. 

A French policeman assists a blood-covered victim near the Bataclan concert hall.

“From an Australian perspective, we see a real risk that terrorist groups in the region [South East Asia] might be inspired by attacks such as we have seen in Ankara, Beirut, Bamako and Paris,” he said.

“I want Australians to be aware that a terrorist incident on our soil remains likely but also that Australians should be reassured that our security agencies are working diligently and expertly to prevent that happening.”

The speech was bookended by a strong denouncing of the wishes and operations of Islamic State, whom he described as “barbaric”.

He said the problem should be addressed “at its source” in the Middle East.

“The threat from ISIL is a global problem that should be addressed at its source – in the Middle East – by ensuring our involvement in the coalition efforts in Syria and Iraq is resolute and effective,” Mr Turnbull said.

“ISIL wants to create division by fermenting resentment between Muslims and non-Muslim populations.”

Mr Turnbull ended his stirring speech with a call to arms, ensuring that “we will defeat these terrorists”. “The strongest weapons we bring to this battle are ourselves, our values, our way of life, our unity mocks their attempts to divide us,” he said. “Our freedom under law mocks their cruel tyranny. Our mutual respect mocks their bitter intolerance. The strength of our free people will see off these thugs and tyrants as it has seen off so many of their kind before.”

New terrorism alert system to start

Mr Turnbull announced the national threat assessment centre, or NTAC, would this week transition to the new national terrorism threat advisory system. “The new system will provide the public with more information on the nature of the threat we are facing,” he said.

Mr Shorten supported the comments by Mr Turnbull. Photo: Getty

After Mr Turnbull, opposition leader Bill Shorten responded to the statement, lauding the bipartisan nature with which the Australian parliament is tackling terrorism. “All Australians should enjoy the rights and liberties of our safe, peaceful democracy equally,” Mr Shorten said. “We all have an equal responsibility to uphold them, to defend them and to preserve the security of our nation. “Labor has engaged with the issues deeply and thoughtfully and, in doing so, we have supported and enhanced four rounds of national security legislation including the citizenship legislation which is currently before the Parliament.” Both the PM and the opposition leader expressed the need for security agencies and government legislation to keep up to date with the modern ways IS use technology and social media to spread their message. Mr Turnbull and Mr Shorten also expressed their solidarity with the Muslim community in Australia, and praised them for their role in countering violent extremism in the country.  

Watch Mr Turnbull’s full speech below:

Watch Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s full #nationalsecurity statement https://t.co/bK0t7cxc10 — ABC News 24 (@ABCNews24) November 24, 2015