Every Australian household from this week will receive a government-sponsored anti-terrorism kit designed to help citizens identify terrorists, under a scheme launched on Monday.
The kit, which also contains tips on how to survive an attack, forms part of the government’s AU$15-million anti-terror campaign launched in the aftermath of last October’s Bali bombing in which more than 190 people died, including 88 Australians.
Security at airports, Parliament House in Canberra and foreign embassies has been increased and television advertisements urge people to be alert to possible terrorists in their neighbourhoods and to report suspicious behaviour.
The kit also includes a fridge magnet listing emergency telephone numbers and a glossy, 20-page information booklet which explains what the government has done to protect the country and outlines what citizens can do to protect themselves.
It contains tips like having latex gloves, a first-aid kit, a battery-operated radio and a torch on hand, explains how to properly bandage a wound and details how to identify and report suspicious behaviour.
The booklet suggests potential terrorists could be identified by suspicious behaviour ranging from the videotaping or photographing of official buildings and out of the ordinary use of accommodation to the purchasing of fertiliser or unusual chemicals.
The Australian Federal Police, the defence department and Australia’s main intelligence agency all contributed to the booklet. Terrorism expert, professor Ross Babbage told the Australian newspaper the kit represented the biggest home defence mobilisation since the government’s call to arms against Soviet attack during the Korean War.
”You could go the whole hog and follow the example of Israel and issue everyone with gas masks and suits, but that would be expensive and probably isn’t warranted here yet,” Babbage said.
But the kits have drawn criticism, particularly from the main opposition Labour Party which has also spearheaded opposition to the government’s staunch support of the US stance on Iraq. Ten days ago the first Australian troops were deployed for possible military action against Baghdad if its fails to comply with UN demands to disclose its weapons program.
Opposition foreign affairs representative Kevin Rudd said the money would be better spent on improving airport security while Greens party Senator Bob Brown accused the government of using fear to win votes.
Fears that a terrorism telephone hotline accompanying the ads would lead to bogus reports were realised just weeks in to the campaign.
A Perth man has been charged after admitting to making a false report about a local group of Aborigines. – Sapa-AFP