Posted on 02/07/2003 3:13:41 PM PST by JustPiper
CANBERRA, Australia -- Food and water for three days, sunscreen, a flashlight, fire extinguisher, battery-powered radio, a repair kit for the car -- and playing cards to keep the family amused.
Sound like a shopping list for a camping trip? It's actually a list of supplies the Australian government is advising citizens to stockpile as part of a terrorism survival kit. The advice comes in anti-terror packets mailed this week to every home in Australia.
The packets include a refrigerator magnet with the number of a 24-hour national anti-terror hot line.
A booklet, "Let's look out for Australia," gives advice on first aid, how to react in a crisis and tips on spotting possible signs of terrorist activity -- including looking out for unusual videotaping or picture-taking of public buildings, suspicious vehicles, and unusual behaviors or lifestyles.
"While planning an attack, terrorists may lead lives that appear unusual or suspicious," it says.
The mailing is the second stage of a government television, radio and newspaper campaign that began in December and advises people to be "alert but not alarmed" about terrorism.
It follows a government warning last November that it had received credible information of a possible terrorist attack in Australia in coming months. Australia was already on heightened alert after the Oct. 12 bombings on the Indonesian island of Bali, which killed 88 Australians and more than 100 others.
Prime Minister John Howard wrote in a letter in the mailing that the Australian public is instrumental in the nation's ability to respond to terrorist threats.
"We have to take the necessary steps to protect ourselves, but in doing so, we also need to strike the right balance between sensible precaution and unnecessary alarm," he wrote.
The campaign has been greeted with both scorn and approval by the public.
Wayne Shanks, 44, a self-employed carpenter, said terrorism was a real threat and the anti-terror packet was a "good idea." "It's a big country. It's good if everyone can keep an eye out," he said.
But others decried the packets as a waste of taxpayers' money.
The mayor of Australia's third-largest city, Brisbane, Jim Soorley, urged people to write "return to sender" on the packets and send them back.
Lance Cavanagh, a 54-year-old small businessman, said the packets were likely to cause unnecessary alarm.
"It's overkill. It's like all of a sudden you have to be looking for terrorists under your bed," he said.
Opposition parties have accused Howard of using the mailings to boost his popularity and to justify his hard-line stance against Iraq.
Howard's conservative government is a stalwart supporter of Washington's tough stance on Baghdad and among the few U.S. allies to have sent troops in preparation for an attack on Iraq.
Public opinion in Australia is overwhelmingly against war, as are opposition parties, who claim Howard is trying to link Iraq with terrorism.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Why do aussies oil their lawns...?
to keep their guns in good nick
Hehe
Yep - especially out here in Kalifornia where lots of us keep "Earthquake Kits", consisting of a taped plastic trash can tucked into a corner, and containing all the necessities.
We learned the hard way during the Northridge quake, when our garage imploded, NOT to keep your jugs of water in said kit..... they split and ruined everything!
Typical government nitwits. My survival kit (earthquake or otherwise) consists of flashlight/batteries, 50 gallons drinking water, 25 gallons gasoline, $1000.00 cash, 500 rounds .308, 1000 rounds .223, 1000 rounds .45 ACP.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.