A WA parliamentary question addresses the Premier regarding federal government's acquisition of body bags and related equipment due to terrorism fears, specifically questioning the risk status of Fremantle port.

AnsweredQoN 1263Legislative Council
Asked
16 September 2003
Portfolio
Leader of the House representing the Premier

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Is the Premier aware of a report that thousands of body bags have been ordered by the federal Government because of fears of a massive terrorist attack in Australia? (2) Is the Premier aware that Emergency Management Australia spokesperson, Brian Flanagan, has told The Sun-Herald newspaper that in last year’s budget it was funded to the extent of $17.8 million to acquire and manage the acquisition of chemical, biological and radiological equipment in consultation with the States and Territories? The special double-lined body bags will be distributed to government departments throughout Australia. (3) Will the Premier inform the House whether he has had discussions with Emergency Management Australia, the Attorney-General’s department or other federal government agencies regarding the use and placement of the body bags, or about the risk status of the port of Fremantle? (4) Will the Premier inform the House whether - (a) double-lined body bags will be situated in Western Australia; and, if so, where; (b) the port of Fremantle has been identified as having an increased risk as a terrorist target; and (c) the risk level in the port of Fremantle has been raised because of the increased presence of the United States of America’s navy under the sea-swap program? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

(1) Yes. (2) No. (3) The Premier has had no discussions with the agencies mentioned. (4) (a) Yes. A number of these items will be distributed to Western Australia as part of an initiative to enhance the capacity of agencies and emergency workers who first respond to chemical, biological and radiological incidents, and it is not in response to any specific threat. The Fire and Emergency Services Authority will be responsible for the equipment. (b) No. (c) No. In December 2002 the Commonwealth Government announced its intention to implement new maritime security requirements arising from Australia’s commitment to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s international ship and port facility security - the ISPS - code. Any upgraded security at the port of Fremantle will be as a result of that commitment. The implementation of the new requirements will apply to approximately 70 ports across the nation.
(2) Is the Premier aware that Emergency Management Australia spokesperson, Brian Flanagan, has told The Sun-Herald newspaper that in last year’s budget it was funded to the extent of $17.8 million to acquire and manage the acquisition of chemical, biological and radiological equipment in consultation with the States and Territories? The special double-lined body bags will be distributed to government departments throughout Australia. (3) Will the Premier inform the House whether he has had discussions with Emergency Management Australia, the Attorney-General’s department or other federal government agencies regarding the use and placement of the body bags, or about the risk status of the port of Fremantle? (4) Will the Premier inform the House whether - (a) double-lined body bags will be situated in Western Australia; and, if so, where; (b) the port of Fremantle has been identified as having an increased risk as a terrorist target; and (c) the risk level in the port of Fremantle has been raised because of the increased presence of the United States of America’s navy under the sea-swap program? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : (1) Yes. (2) No. (3) The Premier has had no discussions with the agencies mentioned. (4) (a) Yes. A number of these items will be distributed to Western Australia as part of an initiative to enhance the capacity of agencies and emergency workers who first respond to chemical, biological and radiological incidents, and it is not in response to any specific threat. The Fire and Emergency Services Authority will be responsible for the equipment. (b) No. (c) No. In December 2002 the Commonwealth Government announced its intention to implement new maritime security requirements arising from Australia’s commitment to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s international ship and port facility security - the ISPS - code. Any upgraded security at the port of Fremantle will be as a result of that commitment. The implementation of the new requirements will apply to approximately 70 ports across the nation.
(3) Will the Premier inform the House whether he has had discussions with Emergency Management Australia, the Attorney-General’s department or other federal government agencies regarding the use and placement of the body bags, or about the risk status of the port of Fremantle? (4) Will the Premier inform the House whether - (a) double-lined body bags will be situated in Western Australia; and, if so, where; (b) the port of Fremantle has been identified as having an increased risk as a terrorist target; and (c) the risk level in the port of Fremantle has been raised because of the increased presence of the United States of America’s navy under the sea-swap program? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : (1) Yes. (2) No. (3) The Premier has had no discussions with the agencies mentioned. (4) (a) Yes. A number of these items will be distributed to Western Australia as part of an initiative to enhance the capacity of agencies and emergency workers who first respond to chemical, biological and radiological incidents, and it is not in response to any specific threat. The Fire and Emergency Services Authority will be responsible for the equipment. (b) No. (c) No. In December 2002 the Commonwealth Government announced its intention to implement new maritime security requirements arising from Australia’s commitment to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s international ship and port facility security - the ISPS - code. Any upgraded security at the port of Fremantle will be as a result of that commitment. The implementation of the new requirements will apply to approximately 70 ports across the nation.
(4) Will the Premier inform the House whether - (a) double-lined body bags will be situated in Western Australia; and, if so, where; (b) the port of Fremantle has been identified as having an increased risk as a terrorist target; and (c) the risk level in the port of Fremantle has been raised because of the increased presence of the United States of America’s navy under the sea-swap program? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : (1) Yes. (2) No. (3) The Premier has had no discussions with the agencies mentioned. (4) (a) Yes. A number of these items will be distributed to Western Australia as part of an initiative to enhance the capacity of agencies and emergency workers who first respond to chemical, biological and radiological incidents, and it is not in response to any specific threat. The Fire and Emergency Services Authority will be responsible for the equipment. (b) No. (c) No. In December 2002 the Commonwealth Government announced its intention to implement new maritime security requirements arising from Australia’s commitment to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s international ship and port facility security - the ISPS - code. Any upgraded security at the port of Fremantle will be as a result of that commitment. The implementation of the new requirements will apply to approximately 70 ports across the nation.
(b) the port of Fremantle has been identified as having an increased risk as a terrorist target; and (c) the risk level in the port of Fremantle has been raised because of the increased presence of the United States of America’s navy under the sea-swap program?
(c) the risk level in the port of Fremantle has been raised because of the increased presence of the United States of America’s navy under the sea-swap program?
(1) Yes. (2) No. (3) The Premier has had no discussions with the agencies mentioned. (4) (a) Yes. A number of these items will be distributed to Western Australia as part of an initiative to enhance the capacity of agencies and emergency workers who first respond to chemical, biological and radiological incidents, and it is not in response to any specific threat. The Fire and Emergency Services Authority will be responsible for the equipment. (b) No. (c) No. In December 2002 the Commonwealth Government announced its intention to implement new maritime security requirements arising from Australia’s commitment to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s international ship and port facility security - the ISPS - code. Any upgraded security at the port of Fremantle will be as a result of that commitment. The implementation of the new requirements will apply to approximately 70 ports across the nation.
(2) No. (3) The Premier has had no discussions with the agencies mentioned. (4) (a) Yes. A number of these items will be distributed to Western Australia as part of an initiative to enhance the capacity of agencies and emergency workers who first respond to chemical, biological and radiological incidents, and it is not in response to any specific threat. The Fire and Emergency Services Authority will be responsible for the equipment. (b) No. (c) No. In December 2002 the Commonwealth Government announced its intention to implement new maritime security requirements arising from Australia’s commitment to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s international ship and port facility security - the ISPS - code. Any upgraded security at the port of Fremantle will be as a result of that commitment. The implementation of the new requirements will apply to approximately 70 ports across the nation.
(3) The Premier has had no discussions with the agencies mentioned. (4) (a) Yes. A number of these items will be distributed to Western Australia as part of an initiative to enhance the capacity of agencies and emergency workers who first respond to chemical, biological and radiological incidents, and it is not in response to any specific threat. The Fire and Emergency Services Authority will be responsible for the equipment. (b) No. (c) No. In December 2002 the Commonwealth Government announced its intention to implement new maritime security requirements arising from Australia’s commitment to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s international ship and port facility security - the ISPS - code. Any upgraded security at the port of Fremantle will be as a result of that commitment. The implementation of the new requirements will apply to approximately 70 ports across the nation.
(4) (a) Yes. A number of these items will be distributed to Western Australia as part of an initiative to enhance the capacity of agencies and emergency workers who first respond to chemical, biological and radiological incidents, and it is not in response to any specific threat. The Fire and Emergency Services Authority will be responsible for the equipment. (b) No. (c) No. In December 2002 the Commonwealth Government announced its intention to implement new maritime security requirements arising from Australia’s commitment to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s international ship and port facility security - the ISPS - code. Any upgraded security at the port of Fremantle will be as a result of that commitment. The implementation of the new requirements will apply to approximately 70 ports across the nation.
(c) No. In December 2002 the Commonwealth Government announced its intention to implement new maritime security requirements arising from Australia’s commitment to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s international ship and port facility security - the ISPS - code. Any upgraded security at the port of Fremantle will be as a result of that commitment. The implementation of the new requirements will apply to approximately 70 ports across the nation.

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