There is exactly one person in the whole of the Parliament at the present time who has the potential to steer Australia through these treacherous times and that is the current Prime Minister. The two identikit soft left alternatives – with Shorten strangely preferable to Turnbull – would transform Australia in ways similar to the damage Obama has done to the United States. They are both people with a vastly misplaced confidence in their own abilities. It is Abbott or the abyss.

I read the biography at the end of the article, and when it said that the writer was an academic, my assumption was that he was set to sell out the country in a way not much different than three-quarters of our media. Instead, it is an article to read: It’s time to take serious steps in the fight against terror. Oh so right he is, and who would you trust more than the PM with our national defence at a time like this.

It’s time to take serious steps to counter the radical ideology that is driving much of this carnage. This will take decades and there will be setbacks but it is the only truly strategic approach we have. Everything else is ­reactive.

In Australia it’s time to get serious about local counter radicalisation and de-radicalisation programs. Our young are being ­assailed on a daily basis by home- based terrorist proponents and foreign propaganda that is flooding uncontrolled into the country. It has to be stopped.

We censor movies and video games, why not this rubbish. Young Australians are now more likely to be recruited to the terrorist cause. The internet has brought them into the orbit of the radicals.

Countering the ideology of hatred has to be led by Muslims. Well done to the Muslim community leaders in Australia who are showing real leadership. They need our support.

The Prime Minister is right in involving the public in national security matters at home. It has an impact on all of us and if some of our individual rights and liberties are to be restrained then we need to know why. This is likely to be a long and constantly changing fight so let’s hope we see a serious strategic ­assessment on national security presented to parliament at least every six months.

Seriously, would you put Shorten or Turnbull or anyone else at the top at a time like this? The Prime Minister would be the first to acknowledge he is not a perfect man. But he is serious about recognising these dangers and dealing with them head-on. Who else talks like this, and means every word?

WE have seen the beheadings, the mass executions, the crucifixions and the sexual slavery in the name of religion. There is no grievance here that can be addressed. There’s no cause here that can be satisfied. It’s the ­demand to submit or die.

Anyone who doesn’t know that should not sit in the Parliament, never mind aspire to the highest office in the land.