Terror Alert

[Oz]

Australia on 24/7 terror watch

 

Australia's Protective Service Coordination Centre in Canberra is now on twenty four hour watch in response to the Government's terrorist alert.

 

The threat is not specific and is related to general alerts issued by the United States and Britain.

 

The alert comes just a week after Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden mentioned Australia in a tape, when he also warned of further attacks.

 

The Government says the threat is linked to Al Qaeda.

 

The Justice Minister, Chris Ellison, says the threat is from a credible source and he has urged people to go about their business as usual, but to be extra vigilant and report anything suspicious to police.

 

"We can't go into the detail ... but suffice to say that the information is credible.

 

"It's generalised, not specific as to targets and timing but sufficient to take the people of Australia into our confidence and advise them of this."

 

Ross Babage, from the Australian National University, says the warning is unprecedented.

 

"It's the first time the Goverment has come out and said there was a specific warning of a threat to Australia," he said.

 

State governments have been briefed on the threat.

 

The New South Wales Premier, Bob Carr, concedes Sydney could be a target.

 

"We've got to assume that Sydney would be a bigger target than Launceston or Toowoomba, I think that would be a safe assumption," he said.

 

The Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, says it is important people do not overreact.

 

"Their strategy is to disrupt our way of life, we can't allow that to happen," he said.

Source: ABC Online

 

See also: NSW police powers