National Counter-Terrorism Alert System
Queensland Public fact sheet
About the National Counter-Terrorism Alert System
· The National Counter-Terrorism Alert System is made up of four levels of alert: low, medium, high and extreme. These levels communicate the risk of terrorism to Australia.
· The National Counter-Terrorism Alert System reflects the level of national preparation and planning to counter the risk of terrorism. It also indicates the levels of vigilance and awareness needed by the community, industry and government to minimise the risk of a terrorist incident occurring.
· The Australian Government Counter-Terrorism Committee regularly reviews alert levels, based the security environment.
Levels of the Alert System
The National Counter-Terrorism Alert System is made up of four levels of alert.
· Low Terrorist attack is not expected
· Medium Terrorist attack could occur
· High Terrorist attack is likely
· Extreme Terrorist attack is imminent or has occurred
How the Alert System is applied
Across Australia
The levels of the National Counter-Terrorism Alert System have three purposes when applied across Australia. These are to:
1. guide national preparation and planning to counter terrorism
2. guide the vigilance and awareness needed in the community to reduce the risk of a terrorist incident occurring and
3. indicate the general risk of the terrorist threat to Australia.
To states
The Alert System allows for the levels of alert to be raised or lowered for individual states and territories.
To industry
The Alert System enables the alert level to be varied for different industry or business sectors, depending on the risk or an incident of terrorism in a sector. In Queensland, industry and business will continue to receive specific information from the Queensland Police Service.
To locations
The flexibility of the Alert System means a geographic location can receive an alert level specific to its risk of terrorism. The alert level can be raised or lowered across different regions of Australia.
When the alert level will change
A change to the alert level would be considered based on security intelligence or an incident that occurs locally or internationally. When either of these factors shows the need for greater vigilance and preparedness of industry or the community, the alert level would be changed across Australia or for specific states, industry sectors or geographic locations.
The Australian Government Counter-Terrorism Committee reviews the alert levels in close consultation with states and territories.
Who will communicate a change in alert level?
A change in alert level will be communicated nationally by the Prime Minister or representative.
In Queensland, the Premier and the Queensland Police Service will provide information specific to our state.
Need more information?
For more information on counter-terrorism activities in Queensland visit www.safeguarding.qld.gov.au
REMEMBER:
Reporting small pieces of information about suspicious behaviour can help continue to keep Australia safe from terrorism. You could help police and security agencies complete the picture.
If you see anything suspicious call the 24-hour National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400. Trained operators take every call seriously and you can remain anonymous.
September 2009