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Man who ‘threatened PM’ shot dead

An 18-year-old man who reportedly made threats against the Prime Minister has been shot dead and two police officers from the joint counter terrorism team have been stabbed in Melbourne’s outer south-east.

The ABC understands the dead man was considered a “person of interest” by authorities and was being investigated over terrorism.

It is also believed he recently had his passport cancelled.

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The incident occurred as the man arrived at a police station on Heatherton Road in Endeavour Hills about 7:40pm (AEST) on Tuesday.

He had been asked to attend an interview as part of an investigation.

An altercation between the man and two officers took place outside the station and the policemen were stabbed.

The 18-year-old was then fatally shot by an officer.

One of the injured officers is from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the other is a Victoria Police member.

They were both rushed to hospital where one remains in a serious but stable condition.

Homicide Squad detectives will investigate the incident on behalf of the Coroner.

“As per standard protocol following a police shooting, Professional Standards Command members will oversee the investigation,” a statement from the AFP read.  

A large number of uniformed and plain clothes officers were at the scene late on Tuesday night, with officers interviewing witnesses from a nearby shopping centre.

Part of Heatherton Road remained closed.

The incident has occurred amid heightened tensions following last week’s counter-terrorism raids in Sydney and Brisbane.

On Monday, Prime Minister Tony Abbott warned Australians the balance between freedom and security “may have to shift”, given the current “troubling” and “darkening” security situation.

In Canberra on Tuesday, AFP officers armed with assault rifles could be seen outside Parliament House.

The decision to post the heavily-armed police officers outside Parliament House was taken by Speaker Bronwyn Bishop and President of the Senate Stephen Parry based on advice from security agencies.

It also comes after the Federal Government released its proposed anti-terrorism legislation targeting so-called “foreign fighters”.

The Foreign Fighters Bill would create new offences for entering areas of countries that are declared as terrorist zones, and broaden the criteria for a terrorist organisation.

The Government says the 160-page document would give some law enforcement agencies extra “tools” to investigate, arrest and prosecute people supporting foreign conflicts.

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