/ 13 May 2005

Perth is not dangerous, says red-faced ministry

The Australian foreign ministry apologised on Thursday for a travel advisory that warned that Australia’s western city of Perth is dangerous at this time of year.

Subscribers to the Department of Foreign Affairs’ e-mail travel advice received an overnight advisory reading: “This is a message to let you know that Perth is dangerous at this time of year.”

The department, which sometimes irritates neighbouring nations with its warnings of overseas terrorism threats, said the message was mistakenly sent by an outside contractor while testing a new mail system.

It says it has taken action to ensure that test messages will not be sent out again. — AFP