She additionally recognised the contributions of volunteers from multicultural backgrounds, including members of the Indian Australian community serving in the brigade.
Critics argue the aggression reflects a government struggling to recalibrate its message against a leader who is neither internally divisive nor easily dismissed.
The incident has intensified scrutiny of the $26 billion North East Link project, which will connect the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen via a 10-kilometre corridor including 6.5 kilometres of tunnels.
Investigators allege that the group was part of a broader conspiracy involving training, logistical coordination and potential support to armed groups operating in and around the India–Myanmar border region.
