Government issues Australian festivals, venues with anti-terrorism guide

Australian festivals and venues are among the public spaces provided with a new government-issuedguide toprotecting their patrons from terrorism acts.

The Federal Government’s Australia’s Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places provide guidance on where owners and operators can go for threat information and protective security guidance, and by providing an overview of effective protective security practices.

Crowded places are defined as shopping centres, pedestrian malls, public transport, pubs, clubs, hotels, places of worship, tourist attractions, movie theatres, and civic spaces where large crowds gather.

Operators can use the guide to better understand terrorist weapons and tactics, including ‘active armed offenders,’ improvised explosive devices, chemical weapons, and hostile vehicles.

High-profile attacks, or threats, on festivals, stadiums and nightclubs have taken place in Manchester, Paris, Germany and Spain.

Late last week, Dutch police called off a concert in Rotterdam by Los Angeles band Allah-Las and arrested a 22-uear old man after a tip-off from Spanish authorities of threats made on social media.

In Australia, security was ramped up at concerts and festivals after the deadly attack on the Manchester Arena after an Ariana Grande show.

These have included introducing, or intensifying, bag bans, metal detectors, metal barricades, increased lighting and cameras, and moving security checks away from entrances to create a buffer zone.

Others have started extra training for staff and security and paying to beef up police presence.

Consumers are also being encouraged to do their part, by checking out people wearing heavy overcoats in hot weather, by not bringing in items they know will not be passed through, and by already having items in their pockets in their hands when they reach security to speed up the process.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said when launching the new guide, “We cannot be complacent about the threats we face but we will never let the terrorists undermine our way of life or compromise the freedoms we take for granted.

“Our strategy will ensure Australians can continue to freely and safely go to the football, enjoy concerts and visit shopping centres.

“It is vital that all those responsible for crowded places know where to go for information and advice on how to better protect their sites.”

At the same time, the Commonwealth Government has worked with the states and territories – through the Transport Security Committee – to develop a security awareness guide for truck operators and drivers.

Promoters, festival operators and road crews have told TMN previously that security outside venues before and after concerts are not enough.

They point out that trucks carrying equipment and catering into sites should also be scrutinised – as should their drivers and workers – even before they arrive.

Australia’s Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places also offers advice for truck drivers on how they can look out for warnings to prevent an attack, and information on how to report suspicious or criminal behaviour to law enforcement.

The Strategy is now available to owners and operators of crowded places and members of the public on the National Security website – www.nationalsecurity.gov.au.