Media Release

 

$15M CAMPAIGN FUELS FEAR AND COMMUNITY DISHARMONY

 

Fairfield Councillor Thang Ngo said the $15 million Federal government anti-terrorism campaign was a gross mismangement of public money.

 

"The so called 'spot a terrorist' campaign risked scaring the public for neglible public gain" said Cr Ngo.

 

"The bottom line of the TV and radio announcement was that we should be alert but not alarmed and to report anything suspicious to a special hotline but it fails miserably in telling us exactly what to look for.

 

Cr Ngo has repeated warned that governments at all levels need to be explicit in telling the public what they should report and what is 'suspicious' behaviour or risk generating undue alarm.

 

According to Cr Ngo the $15m campaign has resulted in:

 

- many crank calls which have created public alarm and diverted police resources

- dramatic drop in attendance to NYE celebrations around Australia and especially Sydney

- fear and tension amongst Australians from Arabic background

 

"These are tangible outcomes from the campaign, you would hardly describe them as successful" he said.

 

Cr Ngo said he would have spent the $15m to upgrade our airport screening facilities, form a joint anti-terrorism task force comprising of state and federal police and invest in a postive community harmony program to pull Australians from all backgrounds together - enhancing understanding, co-operation and harmony.

 

"These are just some of the positive initiatives which we could have put the $15m dollars of tax payer money to; rather than to an advertising campaign that has so far proved to be a monumental flop; arguably creating more community concern and alarm"