JOURNALIST:
Is there any greater threat to Australia in the same way as the threat assessments have obviously been racked up in the UK and the US?
PRIME MINISTER:
There was a general threat increase, if I could put it that way, late last year but we haven't had any specific new information as I speak to warrant a further adjustment of that.
JOURNALIST:
Back home the ALP is saying that the US Ambassador should be recalled or counselled for interfering in domestic political debate over Iraq. Do you have any comment on that?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well I don't think he should be recalled. Obviously the Labor Party is entitled to have whatever foreign policy it chooses. I think it's pretty ridiculous foreign policy on occasions. I think what the Ambassador was doing was defending his President against some of the personal criticism. I would expect an Australian high commissioner or a Australian ambassador to defend an Australian prime minister of either side of politics against personal criticism. I've said that in the past. I don't really have anything to add to it.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Howard, have you had your anthrax shot yet?
PRIME MINISTER:
My anthrax shot?
JOURNALIST:
President Bush had his....
PRIME MINISTER:
No it was actually a smallpox vaccine.
JOURNALIST:
Well have you had your smallpox...
PRIME MINISTER:
No I haven't.
JOURNALIST:
There's been expressions back home in Australia that Australian troops may not have had their anthrax inoculations in time.
PRIME MINISTER:
That is contrary to the advice I've received. Thank you.
[Ends]