Prime Minister Tony Abbott has taken the extraordinary step of raising Australia’s threat level from ‘medium’ to ‘budget problems’, saying Australians should reconsider the need to focus on domestic political issues.

“Sophisticated, well thought-out attacks on Government policy are being planned as we speak,” Mr Abbott said in a press conference this afternoon. “We must remain alert to these threats and do what we can to suppress them.

“I have the full support of my colleagues who, I am sure, will do what they can to focus your attention elsewhere”.

When pressed further on the reasons for the policy, Mr Abbott referred journalists to a written statement which read “Alert! Alert! Alert!”

More to follow.

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