11-01-2005, 06:20 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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In Your Dreams
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Australian Terror Threat
Linky
Quote:
NTELLIGENCE agencies have received specific information about a terrorist threat to Australia which today prompted the Government to rush through its anti-terror laws to help avert a possible attack.
Prime Minister John Howard said intelligence agencies had received specific information about a terrorist threat and was urging Parliament to enact the laws within 36 hours.
"We have seen material," Mr Howard said. "It is a cause of concern."
The Prime Minister would not give details on the nature of the threat, citing security reasons.
"The Government is acting against the background of the assessment of intelligence agencies that a terrorist attack in Australia is feasible and could well occur," he said, referring to an ASIO report released yesterday.
"In ASIO's recently released annual report a warning is contained that specifically cites the threat of home-grown terrorism. ASIO also warned that attacks without warning are feasible," Mr Howard said.
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The amendment will add further grounds for listing militant organisations and "will clarify that it is not necessary for the prosecution to identify a specific terrorist act."
National security editor of The Australian, Patrick Walters, said Mr Howard's statement pointed to "an imminent threat to Australians".
"We know that ASIO and the AFP have been monitoring a number of people considered high security risks for a long period of time," Walters said. "But clearly this takes things to a new level."
The requirement for urgent laws, Walters said, "indicates (the Government) has far more precise intelligence relating to a group or an individual wanting to carry out a terrorist attack".
Part of the new anti-terror laws will be introduced to Parliament today and the Senate is to be be recalled.
Mr Howard said he had briefed Opposition Leader Kim Beazley and Opposition homeland security spokesman Arch Bevis.
"After question time today, the Attorney-General will introduce into the House an urgent amendment to the existing counter terrorism legislation," Mr Howard said.
"We will seek passage of that amendment through all stages this evening.
"The President of the Senate will recall the Senate to meet tomorrow afternoon at 2pm and it's the Government's wish that this amendment be passed into law as soon as possible."
Mr Howard said he had not yet received any information that would require a change in the general terror threat level for Australia.
"If we received advice to that effect, which we have not received, we would respond appropriately to that advice," he said.
Mr Howard said he could not comment further about the information he received and would not say whether the intelligence advice had come from Australian or other authorities.
"We have been given advice that if this amendment is enacted as soon as possible the capacity of the authorities to respond will be strengthened.
"And I am satisfied on what I have been told, and the Government and the national security ministers in Cabinet are satisfied, that that is the case but I do not intend and cannot and will not go into any of the operational details."
More to come...
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