E&OE...
Listen to this Speech (MP3 - 0.95Mb - 87secs)
Since December 27, 2002, when the National Security Hotline was activated, it has received more than 96,000 calls.
The number of calls increases whenever an incident occurs. Sometimes people are simply seeking re-assurance, sometimes looking for information, and critically, sometimes they are passing on information.
There is no doubt the Hotline - 1800 123 400 - has become a valuable tool in the fight against terrorism.
Not everybody remembers that number, but people certainly know it exists because they ring directory assistance to ask for it, particularly in the wake of widely publicised incidents.
Calls to the Hotline, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, are answered by trained operators. Reports from the public are passed on to relevant police or security.
About half the calls received by the Hotline are referred to the Australian Federal Police, ASIO, and relevant State or Territory police.
We cannot guarantee there will never be a terrorist attack on Australian soil.
No one can ever do that.
But we are doing everything in our power to try to prevent one occurring, and we rely critically on ordinary Australians to help us in that very important task.
[ends]
Listen to this Speech (MP3 - 0.95Mb - 87secs)