Prev
Next

Ten years after Bali, we must remain alert, not alarmed

Nicola Roxon

by Nicola Roxon

14 Sep 05:40am

Must Reads

The Punch is moving house - this is a caption

The Punch is moving house

385

Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this? - this is a caption

Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?

122

Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming” - this is a caption

Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”

251

Filed under: Bali Bombings, Counter Terrorism, Explosives, National Security, Terrorism

54 comments

Next month will mark a decade since the 2002 Bali bombings where 202 people were murdered.

If you see someone buying heaps of this over the counter, they might not be making fireworks

Eighty-eight of those killed were Australians. We are all too familiar with the tragic story – a bomb in a backpack, detonated inside a nightclub, forcing locals and holidaymakers to flee – where they were met by another, much larger bomb hidden inside a small van.

And the counter-terrorism raids that occurred in Victoria on Wednesday are another reminder that we must be ever-vigilant to the risks of a terror attack, even ten years after Bali.

What many people do not remember is that the Bali bombs were constructed from a number of ingredients including the oxidising agent potassium chlorate – a chemical with a wide range of everyday industrial applications.

While you may not recognise the name, you’ll see potassium chlorate used legitimately and legally as a disinfectant agent, in safety matches and in the manufacture of fireworks.

And there lies the challenge for governments. While a number of chemicals can be used by terrorists to construct home-made explosives, many are widely available and are used regularly in the garden, for the family pool, at the hairdresser or on the farm.

It’s estimated that almost 600,000 workplaces in Australia use one or more of the 96 chemicals the Government’s experts have identified as being of security concern. Hydrogen peroxide can be used as hair bleach and for first aid; nitric acid is used to clean food and dairy equipment and nitromethane is used as fuel in drag racing and sold by hobby shops for use in radio controlled models.

The challenge for governments is how to improve the security around the sale and handling of these widely used, everyday chemicals, while ensuring they remain available for legitimate use by industry and consumers. It’s a difficult task and one that cannot be tackled without community support.

Since 2000, our policing and intelligence agencies have disrupted four major terrorist plots and over 20 people have been prosecuted as a result of counter-terrorism operations. In one plot, terrorists planned to procure up to 850kg of chemicals which police believe were to be used to create home-made explosives.

Our domestic intelligence agency ASIO is currently dealing with about 200 active counter-terrorism investigations. Many are sparked by information provided by the public. Information provided by the public to the National Security Hotline (1800 1234 00) is key to our efforts to prevent a terrorist bombing in Australia.

Although there is no set list of suspicious indicators, Australian and overseas experience has provided some signs to look out for including suspicious purchases, possession of large quantities or unexplained use of chemicals.

Other valuable information for the authorities is the unusual storage or dumping of chemical containers, unexplained chemical odours or facilities such as garages or self-storage units being accessed at odd times of the day or night. Of course, packages or bags left unattended in public places such as shopping centres or bus and rail stations should also be reported.

Businesses can also help to prevent, detect and deter suspicious purchases of chemicals. This can be achieved by wholesalers, retailers, transporters and others knowing their customers and reporting anything that seems unusual.

On 12 October, I urge Australian to take a moment to honour the innocent men, women and children throughout the world who have lost their lives and loved ones to senseless acts of terrorist violence and to remember the sacrifices made by those who have risked their lives to protect and rescue others in the wake of terrorist attacks.

The memory of the victims and the pain of their families strengthens our resolve to do our best to prevent such an attack taking place in Australia.

The National Security Hotline can be contacted on 1800 1234 00. A podcast on chemical security featuring the Attorney-General can be accessed at www.chemicalsecurity.gov.au

Comments on this post close at 8pm AEST

Most commented

54 comments

Show oldest | newest first

    • acotrel says:

      06:56am | 14/09/12

      It is not so easy to buy oxidising agents these days, even the ammonium nitrate fertiliser is controlled.  The risk is the security of stocks held by farmers.  It is also not easy to acquire a means of initiation in Australia.  John Howard did the right thing in suggesting that it is encumbent on all of us to be vigilant, and report anything suspicious to the police.  At the time he was ridiculed, but security depends on information.

      Reply

    • Babylon says:

      12:43pm | 14/09/12

      The Gillard Governments dismantling of our Border Controls , Captain Emad showed all manner of evil can flow in and out of our country.

    • Babylon says:

      12:44pm | 14/09/12

      The Gillard Governments dismantling of our Border Controls , Captain Emad showed all manner of evil can flow in and out of our country.

    • Alfie says:

      06:04pm | 14/09/12

      Plenty of it on Nauru. Ironic eh??

    • L. says:

      07:30am | 14/09/12

      Vote 1 personal data retention..!!

      Vote 2 Internet Filter..!!

      Remember, if you can’t trust Big brother, who can you trust..?

      Reply

    • MarkF says:

      07:34am | 14/09/12

      I remember not long after Port Arthur the old girl and I with our first bub were in Centrelink waiting in line to get the family crap sorted out.  There was a fellow in front of us with a long canvas work bag in hand and I still remember thinking to myself if you reach into that bag I’m going to drop you where you stand.

      Amazing how things can make you paranoid.

      Reply

    • Mahhrat says:

      07:43am | 14/09/12

      “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance”.

      Good words, used wrong by most governments.

      Reply

    • acotrel says:

      11:28am | 14/09/12

      @Mahrat
      It is all about balance. - checks and balances in fact.

    • TChong says:

      07:48am | 14/09/12

      I, like all Punchers, and Ms Roxon , dont know if the suspect in the raid is guilty, or not.
      Thats what the trial will be for.
      But, to me, the arrest, on the day it occurred, was just far too coincidental , to see it as anything else but a police / asio publicity stunt to be seen to be tough on alledged terrorists.
      ( Specially because as the “authories have stated that there was no immediate threat)
      A cynic just might suggest that the Security services may be indulging in a bit of guilt by association, specially at this time of the year ( with the Sept 11 anniversary)

      Reply

    • acotrel says:

      08:35am | 14/09/12

      At least under the current government the suspect will have access to the courts through a writ of habeas corpus to be shown just cause for his imprisonment.  If he is innocent, he will walk.

    • nihonin says:

      08:59am | 14/09/12

      Yes TChong, orchestrated via phone, by a staff member in the office of the PM, with the help of a union rep.  wink

    • L. says:

      09:13am | 14/09/12

      “At least under the current government the suspect will have..”

      At least under the current government the suspe… Everyone will have their data eves dropped on and stored by the government, irrespective of suspicion…And at their own cost!

    • TChong says:

      09:59am | 14/09/12

      Nihonin
      You’ll have to change your name to “Scoop”, and get a job at the Daily Planet , with Jimmy and Clarke.
      You sure about the union rep, though?
      Sure it wasnt Peter Reiths son , on a taxpayer provided mobile, who was on the phone.? wink

    • acotrel says:

      10:49am | 14/09/12

      @L
      In any given situation there is a balance to be maintained between four major interrelated risk areas - Quality, Safety, Environment and Security.  There are certification standards for management systems in the first three - the Australian Standard for certifying security management systems hasn’t been written yet.  Judging from overseas actions, security management always involves snooping.  What we have to ensure is that there is no loss of amenity due to it. It must not adversely affect our quality of life by intruding unnecessarily. In the end the effect depends upon the actions of those who would be dictators and have little regard for human rights.  We must always be assured that we will have our day in court.

    • L. says:

      11:56am | 14/09/12

      “We must always be assured that we will have our day in court.”

      So why can’t the federal police / ASIO have theres?

      What is wrong with them seeking a warrant if they suspect someone?

      What is wrong with the current system?

    • chuck says:

      08:27am | 14/09/12

      Nicola , petrol and LPG can go boom too!

      Reply

    • nihonin says:

      09:02am | 14/09/12

      Blow enough into a balloon and it’ll go boom as well.  Just sayin…..

    • acotrel says:

      11:15am | 14/09/12

      @Chuck
      How do you facilitate the delay, if you don’t intend to commit suicide ? It is not as easy as you might believe.  A lot of bomb makers disappear while arranging the demise of others.

    • nihonin says:

      12:37pm | 14/09/12

      ‘A lot of bomb makers disappear while arranging the demise of others.’

      Shame it’s not enough of them.

    • Empowered says:

      08:38am | 14/09/12

      .
      As recently as a few days ago innocent people were murdered in Lybia as crowds of frenzied Muslims resorted instantly to violence and a hatred most Australians DO SO NOT understand.
      Being of Cypriot descendence I’ve seen the problems of co-existence first hand between hardline Turks and Greeks, sadly though these problems are fixed for the time being with the island nation being geographicaly divided in half and the two races seperated since 1974, tensions still exist BUT there is relative peace.
      Religion is a powerful catylist in this equation and the key is always tolerance and moderation, I still remember the words of a wise Orthodox preist spoken over 40 years ago during one of our many discussions about Muslims and Christians, ” the worst enemies of any organisation are its fanatics”.
      Minister Roxon, you make the point about being vigilant and watchful wich is your duty when we are in peril but shouldn’t we be saying NO to more immigration of Muslims and refusing any more building of segregational schools wich in past years used to be the melting and mixing pot for all immigrant children where the Pappadopolouses and the Smiths mixed and learnt each others customs and quirks, then went on to inter-marry and intergrate completely.
      Mixing Muslims and Christians is akin to the dog and cat coexistence, while some can do it most will never be able to fully tolerate the other as long as the master is weak, ignorant and wishful or just accepts stupidly that there will never be peace between the two.

      Reply

    • acotrel says:

      10:54am | 14/09/12

      George Pell recently said ‘Islam is the communism of the 21st century’, so we are off to a great start !  We fought a ten year war in Vietnam over communism, and lost over 590 soldiers’ lives - where will this other lead us ?

    • A Concerned Citizen says:

      09:04am | 14/09/12

      Yes Nicola, “not alarmed” which is why you and your government:
      1; Wants to introduce an internet filter, like Iran and China
      2; Wants to track people on the internet
      3; Punishes leakers
      4; Does not protect Australian citizens overseas who are involved in leaking (you only get support if you deal drugs).

      What we have are four policies that really only protect the government from bad publicity, yet none of these actually protect the public.

      Yet despite your Orwellian behaviour, you don’t seem to feel that extremist preacher groups in Australia like Hizb Ut Tahir should be banned- like they are in most Western countries that do NOT invade their citizens privacy or basic information rights.

      Reply

    • Babylon says:

      02:14pm | 14/09/12

      Don’t forget the $150 million spent by The Gillard Government on 1600 staff to manage the media, plus another $10 Million spent on folks to monitor what is said about the Gillard Government in the media.

    • Rosie says:

      09:47am | 14/09/12

      Minister Roxon, Attorney General genuine caring people don’t need politicians like yourself to be reminded of the deaths of fellow innocent Australians because certain groups of people cannot find peace within themselves. The world changed after 9/11,  the war against terrorism was soon realized by those of us that want to get on with living our lives the best possible way we can.

      We certainly don’t need you to tell us how to remember the tragic deaths of innocent people. Like the horrible Port Arthur incident, 9/11, and off course the Bali bombings, most of us remember very well what we were doing when we heard the shocking news. News that shocked the world!

      Reply

    • simonfromlakemba says:

      10:07am | 14/09/12

      Its a bit concerning what has been planned, its something you would see in Russia or China, not Australia. Its been shown ASIO have been doing a pretty good job with what they have been doing in relation to raids.

      Reply

    • nihonin says:

      10:44am | 14/09/12

      sfl, you only have to worry ‘if you have something to hide’ apparently, according to the sheeple.  lol

      They’ll be the first to bleat when it goes off in the faces though.

    • acotrel says:

      11:01am | 14/09/12

      What do you put first as a priority ?  The good old Aussie value of ‘you mind your own business and don’t dob in your mates’ ?  Some of you guys really amaze me, you quibble about your privacy yet you will accept a leader who has little regard for democracy, and is clearly authoritarian in outlook behind the facade.

    • simonfromlakemba says:

      12:21pm | 14/09/12

      Agree Nihonin. Just don’t think the Government should be in our lives, a bit different if you want to be an amateur terrorist, then by all means glad to have the Government intrude, but if not, stay away.

    • nihonin says:

      12:41pm | 14/09/12

      But acotrel, she’ll be voted out along with the rest of party and hangers on that form government according all polling.

    • Grant says:

      10:43am | 14/09/12

      I think we can all see what Nicola Roxon is doing here.

      First, slowly reintroduce the fear of the terrorism back into the Australian political landscape and psyche to allow data retention with no judicial oversight.

      Stage two, Nicola and others will later argue that if we had ‘data retention’ then we could easily track the people and businesses that purchase these chemicals and monitor the activities of these terrorists more easily.

      How many terrorist attacks have occurred in the US or Australia since 2001?

      The threat of terrorism is so minuscule, it comes no where near close to warranting the existing and massive cost and overreach of the Australian government in regards to imposing anti-terror legislation and proposals like data retention.

      Reply

    • acotrel says:

      11:11am | 14/09/12

      @Grant
      ‘The threat of terrorism is so minuscule, it comes no where near close to warranting the existing and massive cost and overreach of the Australian government in regards to imposing anti-terror legislation and proposals like data retention. ‘

      Have you personally done the risk assessment or is that simply your opinion of its magnitude ?
      It is not being paranoid to appropriately manage the risk of an attack by terrorists on innocent civilians, I suggest your concerns are more about ‘who guards the guards’ ?

    • Empowered says:

      12:18pm | 14/09/12

      Intersting concept, dollars more important over national security?
      The dopiest imbicile knows that if we relax security, it’an open invite for trouble.
      Scary to know people like you exist!

    • grant says:

      12:56pm | 14/09/12

      @empowered
      Since there is no real national security threat, as in, the evidence factually points to a very low risk of terrorist attack, then we need to apply a equivalent and proportionate amount of resources to it, i.e. a low amount.

      BTW: It is far scarier to me to know that people like you do not pay any stock in reason, facts, and evidence, and the analysis of that information to form an opinion.

      Fear simply directs your high perception of risk about terrorism.

      @acotrel

      Here are a couple examples of what I have read that forms the basis of my opinion, it gives you an indication of why I think that there is a low risk, and our current legislation is an over-reach.

      A paper by University of NSW law academic Chris Michaelson was published in the Kokoda Foundation journal of Security Challenges which states that “there is almost zero risk of being killed in a terrorist attack in Australia”.

      A research paper titled “Understanding Anti-Terrorism Policy: Values, Rationales and Principles” laments the flurry of and frequency of new anti-terrorism laws that have far-reaching and significant effects which are not satisfactorily evaluated before enactment.
      http://sydney.edu.au/law/slr/slr_34/slr34_2/SLRv34no2Macdonald.pdf

      International FTI Consulting, “Terrorism Trends in ASIA 2011”.
      Indicates in there conclusion on the Terrorism Threat Outlook for our region which does not have any serious terrorist risks”

    • colin says:

      10:45am | 14/09/12

      And try to negotiate with a group of religious zealots who believe that we are infidel dogs with no souls and whose death is done in the name of a god who would have destroyed all those who do not believe in him..?

      Good luck with that.

      You will not stop the flow of chemicals used for making bombs because there are chemical factories run and owned in the countries concerned; chemical engineers in the countries concerned, and the money, force, and influence required to garner whatever is required to continue with their wretched path to destroy all who do not believe in their god.

      Reply

    • grant says:

      11:22am | 14/09/12

      What bombs?
      How many and who are using these chemicals?
      Have they been planted in Australia? 

      No, we have never been attacked, and probably never will. The actual estimated risk of a terrorist attack (zero to very low) and your perception of the risk of a terrorist attack (moderate to high) are not aligned correctly.

      Bascially, your perception of risk of terrorism is high. You fear and believe a terrorist attack could occur any moment, However the reality of a terrorist attack actually occuring in Australia is so low that the risk is not even worth mitigating.

      In fact the stress that you must endure from believing that there are religious zealouts everywhere out to bomb you would probably be more of a health risk because of the resulting stress it causes you

    • acotrel says:

      11:25am | 14/09/12

      @colin There is an ocean surrounding Australia.  Difficult to carry a bomb on a plane, and it would need to be a very safe design to carry it on a ship.
      The danger lies in actions of the sort which provoked the attacks in Libya.  It only takes one malicious ratbag to upload something like that video onto the internet, and we are in business.

    • egg says:

      12:26pm | 14/09/12

      @colin, way to class a whole religion as zealots, that’s super helpful. When Muslims use sweeping generalisations to classify us, you know, like “infidel dogs”, that’s just wrong, eh? Yeah. That’s what I thought.

      We’re just so much better than them! THEY’RE the intolerant bastards, and we’re soooooo awesome.

    • colin says:

      01:04pm | 14/09/12

      @ grant 11:22am | 14/09/12

      “No, we have never been attacked, and probably never will. ...”

      Oh, ho ho !! That is the type of statement that comes back to haunt people! Chamberlain; “Peace in our time!”

      I’m not worried about this all of the time as you make out in trying to strawman me; I am concerned, however,  by the articles in newspapers of terrorist cells being detected in Australia; I am concerned about groups of people here who would do such things (and not just Muslims; ever heard the rantings of an anti-white Islander? Frightening) But, sure, you just pretend it isn’t possible or isn’t happening, and it’ll all just go away ...tra la la la la….
      —-

      @egg 12:26pm | 14/09/12

      OK, egg, whatever you say; we’ll make sure that we send you to negotiate with the Taliban then..?

      Oh, and can I have your hat? You won’t be needing it after you have your head removed… Do you really think it possible for a cow to plead for his life with a slaughter man? Do you really think that religious nut-cases who don’t believe we have a soul and are - therefore - insects beneath their feet care about our “Negotiations”??!?

    • grant says:

      01:25pm | 14/09/12

      @ colin

      Based on what you have said, I believe you have what is called ‘high perception of risk victimisation’ which basically means that you have a higher fear of crime than what really exists.

      This usually develops out of media articles and newspapers, as you mentioned. The problem is media outlets tend to focus more on high impact stories that sell well. So things like violent crime (youth crime), inflated terrorist activity etc.

      When people like yourself are constantly bombarded by the media with this type of information, it is not unexpected that you would start to believe that there a high risk of crime and terrorism.

      “Perceived Risk versus Fear of Crime: Empirical Evidence of Conceptually Distinct Reactions in Survey” Datahttp://sf.oxfordjournals.org/content/74/4/1353.short

    • colin says:

      02:42pm | 14/09/12

      @grant 01:25pm | 14/09/12

      Yawn.

      If I wanted pseudo-scientific explanations of a syndrome that I have supposedly contracted, I would have consulted with the charlatan at my local “Chiropractor and Holistic Healing Centre”.

      As for my supposed continued stress at seeing things much worse than they actually are, I think that you read to much into my statements; I am merely pointing out the complete lack of awareness of these things that you exhibit which is, in effect, probably another syndrome (Polyanna Syndrome?) that is diametrically opposite to the one that you accuse me of displaying…I am merely reporting what IS, not what you WISH it to be…

      Besides, did you not read my bit about having directly heard similar terrorist diatribes in person from an anti-white campaigner? It’s not ALL from newspapers, you know; there are very many strange people and groups out there and you don’t need to socialise in various areas very much to uncover them…

    • grant says:

      03:13pm | 14/09/12

      @ colin

      The ‘high perception of risk victimisation’ isn’t a syndrome or a medical condition.

      It’s simply something that occurs cognitively when people are exposed to significant amounts of information. It’s risk not pseudo-scientific, its just science.

      This statement “I am merely reporting what IS, not what you WISH it to be…”

      You are stating what you think is true. 

      I am not providing information that is what I ‘wish it to be’. I am providing evidence and research to you that is factual.

      As I mentioned earlier.

      There have been many papers presented and reviewed on this terrorism risks in Australia.

      The most notable paper is from the University of NSW law academic Chris Michaelson in the Journal of Security Challenges.

      This states that “there is almost zero risk of being killed in a terrorist attack in Australia”.

    • Bill Rowlings, CEO, CLA says:

      10:47am | 14/09/12

      Civil Liberties Australia says:

      It’s puzzling why AG Nicola Roxon downplays the number of “terrorist” prosecutions, claiming “over 20 people”. It may be she does so to hide the fact that at least 16 of those prosecuted by the authorities have been found, in court, to be innocent, and freed (in some cases from 2 years of remand detention, locked up for 23 hours a day because they were a “terrorist threat”).

      A year ago, on 12 Sept 2011, then-AG Robert McClelland told Parliament:
      ‘Since 2000, four major terrorist plots have been disrupted in Australia. To date, 38 individuals have been prosecuted as a result of counter-terrorism operations and 22 have been convicted.’

      Ms Roxon wants us to remember only those people who were convicted. We believe she and the police/security authorities should also remember those cases where they got it 100% wrong.

      - Bill Rowlings, CEO, Civil Liberties Australia

      Reply

    • acotrel says:

      11:35am | 14/09/12

      @Bill
      Each of us has a duty of care - it consists of managing risk apropriately. .  Civil liberties are affected both by the legislation and the people who use the legislation to prosecute.  We all have the vote, and can choose our own political executioner.

    • the cynic says:

      01:11pm | 14/09/12

      Bill I have a good idea why don’t we deport all the firebrands that ARE known ZEALOTS, You know the ones up around Lakemba and Auburn, places like that where they embolden their flocks to go kill non mussies and their women who are dressed like meat to be taken, then we won’t have any thing to fear about our civil liberties being trampled upon. You wouldn’t invite a thief into your home and expect him not to nick your wallet given half a chance yet people like you have no compunction in turning a blind eye to unfettered imports of known western civilisation haters free reign whilst civil liberties for the rest of us are being trampled. How about you lot take a hard look as to why our CLs are being eroded in the first place, and direct your efforts into getting rid of the cause and then we would not have to worry about the effect.

    • simonfromlakemba says:

      01:57pm | 14/09/12

      Well we did a good job of rounding up Germans.

    • nihonin says:

      10:54am | 14/09/12

      I once saw alert, yes I was alarmed.

      Reply

    • TChong says:

      12:40pm | 14/09/12

      did seeing alert,  make you gruntled ?

    • nihonin says:

      01:21pm | 14/09/12

      Nah Chongy, I missed gruntled, panicked and ran bayou wink

    • Rosie says:

      01:05pm | 14/09/12

      God help us, hopefully Australia will not experience any terrorist attacks while this Gillard Labor Minority Govt is in power. Imagine how long it would take before a decision is made in their response. Nothing will be done until the Greens, Windsor, Oakeshott and Wilkie give the OK.

      Reply

    • True Blue Ozzie says:

      01:25pm | 14/09/12

      This raid coinsides with the Governments push to retain our personal data for up to two years, perfict timing would’nt you say? This begs the question what are Government really hiding from us? With the uncontrolable flow of the ‘Illegal Boat People” with no papers, have they now become aware that they have let terrorist cells into Australia and are now trying to cover there stuff up by trying to bring in the retention of data for two years? ASIO and this Government would certianly hide the truth from the public, if this is the case, after all they have allowed “people smugglers” to reside here, and fleed the country scot Fee!

      Reply

    • Rossco says:

      01:32pm | 14/09/12

      Roxon, you are an absolute disgrace to your country and to the Australian people, do not talk to me about remaining alert. The only thing anyone needs to remain alert on is totalitarian governments like yours implementing Orwellian measures like an internet filter and data retention. History will judge you and your leader as one of the worst incompetent governments in Australia. I am far more concerned with these things than some lame duck terrorists.

      Reply

    • Rossco says:

      01:34pm | 14/09/12

      Roxon, you are an absolute disgrace to your country and to the Australian people, do not talk to me about remaining alert. The only thing anyone needs to remain alert on is totalitarian governments like yours implementing Orwellian measures like an internet filter and data retention. History will judge you and your leader as one of the worst incompetent governments in Australia. I am far more concerned with these things than some lame duck terrorists.

      Reply

    • Bee says:

      04:44pm | 14/09/12

      Nicola, I think it’s weird you’re using a howard government slogan. Does anyone remember those absurd fridge magnets - what a daft initiative that was. How quaint it looks now.

      Reply

    • Swamp Thing says:

      06:39pm | 14/09/12

      What Rossco said +2. I will add the you (Roxon) don’t know the half of it - for the good of the nation, just go away.

      Reply
 
Sorry, comments are now closed for this article.

Facebook Recommendations

Read all about it

Punch live

Up to the minute Twitter chatter

Daniel Piotrowski

drpiotrowski 24 May 13 12:08PM

RT @_Tors: What @joehildebrand said... http://t.co/lmP6gDQLEE

Daniel Piotrowski

drpiotrowski 24 May 13 11:54AM

'D***head, get on the ground': Police investigate shocking new video http://t.co/n6CaJuL6la

Daniel Piotrowski

drpiotrowski 24 May 13 11:49AM

RT @itsKShort: Former classmate of alleged Woolwich machete suspect: "I sat next to him in Sociology at College!!!!" http://t.co/3u44k5HkJO…

Daniel Piotrowski

drpiotrowski 24 May 13 11:38AM

@bjaxon1987 Excellent! thanks.

See all tweets

Recent posts

The latest and greatest

The Punch is moving house

by The Punch Team

385

The Punch is moving house

Good morning Punchers. After four years of excellent fun and great conversation, this is the final post…

Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?

by Hannah Harborow

122

Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?

I have had some close calls, one that involved what looked to me like an AK47 pointed my way, followed…

Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”

by Sarrah Le Marquand

251

Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”

In a world in which there are still people who subscribe to the vile notion that certain victims of sexual…

Nosebleed Section

choice ringside rantings

From: Hasbro, go straight to gaol, do not pass go

Tim says:

They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]

From: A guide to summer festivals especially if you wouldn’t go

Kel says:

If you want a festival for older people or for families alike, get amongst the respectable punters at Bluesfest. A truly amazing festival experience to be had of ALL AGES. And all the young "festivalgoers" usually write themselves off on the first night, only to never hear from them again the rest of… [read more]

Light weight

Gentle jabs to the ribs

Superman needs saving

Superman needs saving

Can somebody please save Superman? He seems to be going through a bit of a crisis. Eighteen months ago,… Read more

28 comments

Newsletter

Read all about it

Sign up to the free News.com.au newsletter