❓ Question regarding the discovery of explosives in Australind and the potential danger posed by drug-test kits reacting with triacetone triperoxide (TATP). The Minister acknowledges the danger and ongoing investigation but lacks specific details about the test kits.
AnsweredQoN 716Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
EXPLOSIVES DISCOVERY — AUSTRALIND
716. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS to the
acting Minister for Police:
I refer to the discovery yesterday of three kilograms of
explosives commonly used by terrorists.
(1) Has the
minister been advised that the preliminary drug-test kits used by Western
Australia Police have actually been known to trigger explosions when used with
triacetone triperoxide?
(2) Was there a serious danger to officers who used an acid-based
test kit with TATP?
(3) Was there
a serious danger to the officers who transported the explosives yesterday and
also to the officers who were based at Curtin House?
716. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS to the
acting Minister for Police:
I refer to the discovery yesterday of three kilograms of
explosives commonly used by terrorists.
(1) Has the
minister been advised that the preliminary drug-test kits used by Western
Australia Police have actually been known to trigger explosions when used with
triacetone triperoxide?
(2) Was there a serious danger to officers who used an acid-based
test kit with TATP?
(3) Was there
a serious danger to the officers who transported the explosives yesterday and
also to the officers who were based at Curtin House?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
As the Premier mentioned a short while ago, a major investigation is underway
at the moment. I am aware that the police will make a further statement at 2.30
this afternoon about the current investigation and whatever further has been
found in the Leschenault Inlet today.
In relation to the specific details
of the question that the member for Midland has just asked me, it is reasonable
to assume that there was a serious danger to people in the vicinity of the
material that was found. Once the material was identified yesterday, a major
operation was put in place for the material to be safely, but very carefully,
transported to Gloucester Park and then exploded. I think it is reasonable to
assume that there was a real danger, and that is why the police acted in the
very careful and thorough way that they did.
I am not aware of specific details
about the drug-test kits that the member referred to. It appears that she has
been provided with some information on that issue. I will await any further
advice that might be appropriately provided by WA Police.
As the Premier mentioned a short while ago, a major investigation is underway
at the moment. I am aware that the police will make a further statement at 2.30
this afternoon about the current investigation and whatever further has been
found in the Leschenault Inlet today.
In relation to the specific details
of the question that the member for Midland has just asked me, it is reasonable
to assume that there was a serious danger to people in the vicinity of the
material that was found. Once the material was identified yesterday, a major
operation was put in place for the material to be safely, but very carefully,
transported to Gloucester Park and then exploded. I think it is reasonable to
assume that there was a real danger, and that is why the police acted in the
very careful and thorough way that they did.
I am not aware of specific details
about the drug-test kits that the member referred to. It appears that she has
been provided with some information on that issue. I will await any further
advice that might be appropriately provided by WA Police.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.