Society & Culture

Help Protect Australia (and New Zealand)?

Society & Culture

Posted by: Anonymous

18th Jun 2007 12:41pm

Many of you watch TV and unless you've been changing channels every time the ads come on you will have probably seen an advert for the National Security Public Information Campaign (sorry Kiwis this campaign is Australian although we'd still like to have your opinion on this topic). This advertisement "reminded Australians to remain vigilant and report possible signs of terrorism to the National Security Hotline"

How effective do you think this campaign is? Are people really keeping an eye out for terrorist activities and have you or would any of you consider reporting suspected terrorist activity? How suspicious would the activity need to be before you would report anything?


Comments 63

spoof
  • 4th Nov 2011 05:20pm

This seems to put into words what I – and I am sure many others of the silent majority – think!

It was written by Mrs Jenny Bell of South Australia to Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott:


To Julia Gillard & Tony Abbott ...
You BOTH Worry me ! ( In fact both of your Political parties worry the hell out of me !!!)
Over the last three years, I find myself becoming more and more fearful of the pair of you, and between you, you are turning this country into a place that I no longer feel at home in, or feel a part of! I watch you in parliament, and no, not just the two of you, but every politician that I see, stand up in parliament sneering at each other, and acting like children !!! (..and if you were my children, I would be ashamed of you all ... what an example to set!)
Although you would like us all to believe that you are putting the needs of this country at the forefront, NEITHER of you are doing that, you seem more interested in "one-up-manship ", in scoring off each other, & denigrating each other, to the detriment of this country & its people !!!
It seems to be all about YOU as individuals, and not about what you can DO for this country !
It is fast becoming a place that I do not recognize, as the place I always thought, was the best place in the world to be !!!
But no longer !!!
You are not listening to the people of this country !!!
And here in South Australia , your counterparts are afflicted with the same disease - is it endemic in all politicians ?
I am watching the deterioration of living standards in this country, (and according to you, on a world stage we are doing better than most countries ... REALLY ???) ... and yet the gap is widening between the "haves" and the "have-nots." I see our homeless on the streets, our hospitals under-funded, and understaffed, our health system is an absolute mess and a disgrace ... and yet I see multi-millions of dollars being sent off shore, in aid to other countries, before attending to this country's needs !
I see the "selling off of the farm," in large amounts, to foreign interests, (In Every State) including water rights to foreign interests too .... and WHY...?
Especially when you go to great lengths to tell us that water is a finite resource, & supposedly, we must ALL be careful with how we use it, so that we ensure we have it for the future ?
Foreign interests "Fracking" for coal seam gas, and riding rough shod over farmers' rights to their own land, AND USING QUESTIONABLE CHEMICALS. (You don't even KNOW what chemicals they use), and possibly causing damage to the water table in the process !!!
And those foreign interests I believe, do NOT have to pay anything in royalties back to this country, for the first five years of their tenure ... IS THIS CORRECT ??? or, to carbon emissions, AT ALL!
A Carbon Tax,( which you KNOW is just another tax with a "Starting Point dollar value") which will make NO appreciable difference at all.
A tax, which in spite of all your arguments FOR it, you are doing alone, when other major countries will NOT & DO NOT embrace it, or believe in it! Even your voters didn't want it.
All that it will do for this country is put working families and small businesses behind the eight ball, .....what planet are you on, if you think that your few hundred dollars a year, will make even a scrap of difference to the effect of the carbon tax on people ?Blind Freddy can see the holes in that argument!!! Do you really think we are that dumb???
The CONVOY OF NO CONFIDENCE was real !!! ...and I haven't spoken to even ONE person, who would not have liked to be there if they could, but the tyranny of distance and /or work was the only thing that kept them away, ( myself included), ... and you KNOW that only a part of the convoy was actually allowed to be in front of Parliament house and ON VIEW ... the rest were streets away, unreported by the media! (weird, that)
For Mr Albanese to stand up in parliament, and call it "THE CONVOY OF NO CONSEQUENCE," in his sneering tone, shows just how out of touch with the people of Australia, you really are!!!! WE WOULD HAVE ALL LIKED TO BE THERE !!!
DEFENCE ....... Because Americans are our Allies, and we support them in Wars, ........ Korea, Vietnam, Iraq , Afghanistan, .... and you have sent our soldiers to those places, and our soldiers fought for you, and for Australia ...... some coming home with terrible physical injuries, and some with devastating Mental Injuries as well ..... BUT WHERE ARE YOU, WHEN THEY NEED YOU ?????
Veteran's Indexation to CPI only is a disgrace ... and is something YOUR Labor party Julia, used as an election sweetener, to get the Veteran's Vote ... BUT YOU LIED (Again)! You never had any intention of honouring your election promise to them ... and it WILL come back to bite you at the next election !!!! (And Tony, Liberals were NO BETTER, Howard had more than 10 years to "fix it " and didn't!)
Veterans are not alone, they have families, friends and supporters, who are heartily sick of the deception your party perpetrated on them ...AND THEY ALL VOTE !!!!
THEY are your obligation, first and foremost ..... and it is not your first obligation to give aid to every man and his dog overseas first!!! Look after your own FIRST!!!! Is this what you call SALUTING THEIR SERVICE ???
Have you any idea, how sickening it is for our Vets to see you both, ( Labor or Liberal ) turn up to the funerals of our current young vets for a photo opportunity, to be seen to be "caring" in the public eye, but only to turn your backs on them all, when they need you??? (Just ask Breanna Till an Afghanistan Soldier's wife, how CARING this government is !!!)
And in light of what you DON'T do for our Vets .......Let's talk about Multiculturalism ......People have come here from other countries, for a better life, for more years than I have been alive (I am 65 years old!) ... my own family migrated here in 1883, from Germany, and did find a better life ...
Pre & Post war immigrants have came for a better life, and settled in and became wonderful contributors to this country, as did those who came here after the Vietnam War, ...all have contributed to the rich diversity of this country, and some descendants have even fought FOR this country, and they have become Australians and are glad to be ...and they had NO handouts from our Government either, ...they worked hard for everything !
I have never before had a problem with all, or any, race of immigrants coming here ...
.......However, I DO NOW!!!
Please tell me why we have areas like Lakemba, where police do NOT, & will NOT go, for fear of their life ?
Please tell me why we can no longer have religion in schools, for fear of "OFFENDING" someone ? (The latest little gem is that they are not having, or being funded, for "chaplains" any more, but "Counsellors "?)
Please tell me why religious Christmas observances are no longer allowed in some schools for fear of OFFENDING someone ?
Please tell me HOW Christmas decorations in some stores might OFFEND someone ?
Please tell me why we have to have segregated days in some swimming centres, for fear of "OFFENDING" someone ?
Please tell me why we have some RADICAL clerics demanding Sharia Law in this country ... when if we were in THEIR country, this would NEVER be allowed ?
Please tell me why our laws need to be changed, so as not to OFFEND someone ?
Please tell me why we are fast becoming a MINORITY voice, in our own country, because of POLITICAL CORRECTNESS ?
Please tell me WHY Australians cannot legally wear a face covering bike helmet into a bank ..and yet it is OK to wear a Burqa which covers the whole face ?
And please tell me WHY, when those people who want asylum here, can wreck our detention centres, as in Villawood, and STILL be accepted here ?
SO, in light of the above, WILL BOTH OF YOU ......Please tell me WHY, when some of our Vietnam Veterans FINALLY received (in the last 6 months) the recognition that they should have had after the Vietnam War, (and which they received from the USA & South Vietnam, during and immediately after the Vietnam War), that the families of those Veterans, were refused assistance by this Government, to attend that award ceremony, and yet this Government ....flew, accommodated, and even took on bus tours, to the the families of asylum seekers, after the funerals of those who were killed in the boat which sunk off Christmas Island ?
What does that say, about just who are this government's priorities ?
The Australian people that I speak to have genuine concerns about becoming a second class minority in our own country, and the reasons for it, are some of the above, ..... Are you so blind that you cannot see this ?
And no, I am NOT racist !!!...(if I did not like Catholics or Protestants would I be considered racist?) Of course not!
Why is it, that if we object to what is happening in our country ... we are immediately labelled RACIST, in an attempt to shut us up ?
We are fighting Radical Muslims, in Afghanistan & Iraq, are we not?I hear you say, yes but the Muslims we have here are "Not like that " ... well how would we know? ...do we hear ANY of them coming out & speaking AGAINST radicals?? I haven't ...have you ???
Islam is not compatible with ANY of the values that we hold here in Australia! ...Are not the experiences of Britain, France, and the Netherlands an example of that? Why do you think it would be any different here? We even have an Australian born "radical," whose message is that Australia WILL become a Muslim country, under Sharia Law, & that we had "better get used to it ".
Will both of you grow some "Balls," and start sticking up for this country and its people ???
We are the people who put you where you are, and PAY you to look after our interests! .. And you are NOT doing that by any stretch of the imagination!!!
I would appreciate an answer, from both of you, if only to convince me that once again, I am not talking to a brick wall!!!!!
In case it has escaped both of you ...I would like to remind you that, in Australia the Government ... is "FOR THE PEOPLE, OF THE PEOPLE & BY THE PEOPLE" ... never forget that......because you sure have up till now !!!

Mrs Jenny Bell
20 Helene St
Nuriootpa S.A.
0885623753
Queenbeestings1@gmail.com

rosh
  • 2nd Sep 2011 04:51pm

i dont think people get the narrow meaning of this add because its not effect to the people that much government wants to say.and also i don't think Australian people are really care about whats going on around them because they don't have much time to focus around their surround.

Phoenixarizona
  • 18th Mar 2011 05:20pm

This is the problem with the Aussie government. Whatever happened to seeing something suspicious and calling the police?
Shouldn't the police get in touch with the terrorist experts after a reported unientified bag left in a public place or something?
I don't know about you but I have seen this add many times and still don't know the number. I knw 000 off the top of y head though.
Quite frankly if an Aussie sees something suss then they should call 000 or their local police station to report suspicious activity like you would for everything else.
Here's an idea Gillard stop wasting money on this crap and put the federal budget to GOOD use.
Phoenix

Anonymous
  • 12th Feb 2011 07:34pm

I am a kiwi and feel that we should also be doing this. Being Vigilant and report possible signs of terrorism.

Anonymous
  • 12th Feb 2011 07:30pm

I am suspicious of anyone born in the Far East if they are unable to meet my eye when talking to me.

Anonymous
  • 12th Feb 2011 07:26pm

I am a kiwi and I think that this should be the most important thing we do to save our countries from the crazy people who think that they have the right to decide what is right and wrong and all in the name of religion.

cheryleb
  • 12th Apr 2010 01:51pm

more money should be spent on hospitals and education in my opinion
less money wasted on government adds more action

cheryleb
  • 12th Apr 2010 01:51pm

more money should be spent on hospitals and education in my opinion
less money wasted on government adds more action

rodney2518
  • 7th Feb 2010 09:21pm

I'm sure everyone(within reason), is aware of possible terrorism occuring in Australia not just through viewing the above campaign, but most Australians through media and word and mouth,have a fair idea of what's going on in their own backyards.It starts with immigration and ends there!They have become soft in their approach.I am compassionate towards people, but how about we fix our country first before anyone else's.
Our first Prime Minister Edmond Barton, introduced immigration(1907) and stated that we should insist that the immigrant who comes here be it in good faith,by no means should any newly appointed Australians/Citizens, be subjected to any rascism whatsoever, but in light of that, every immigrant will assimilate to Australian ways and become every facet of an Australian.Any man/woman who calls themselves Australian and something else also, is not an Australian at all.We have one Flag, one language, the English language and we have room for one sole loyalty and that is to the Australian people.There can be no divided allegiance here.

EVLCRETURE
  • 17th Oct 2009 10:23pm

In a word NO. The Australin public suffer from the "it will never happen to me sindrome". Until somthing does happen it will probley remain that way.

Michael_M9
  • 26th Sep 2008 10:38am

very effective... enough said

missscarlet
  • 17th Sep 2008 04:32am



Firstly define Terrorist...In my opinion the USA are the biggest and most dangerous terrorists. They place fear into the hearts of their fellow citizens,detain "so called terrorists" without laying any charges,which goes against the Geneva Convention.

The USA let its people believe that Iraq had weapons of "m*** destruction" and went and invaded another country without officially declaring war just like they did in Vietnam.

They torture "so called terrorists" and what that makes them WHAT

In my opinion they are the terrorists, members of their government own shares in Haliburton which makes the weapons for use in this war.

There is a lot of money to be made in the "Harm Industry".

So if you are looking for what a terrorist looks like , I would go no further than the Bush administration.

Bad_manners
  • 8th Sep 2008 12:30pm

When petrol reached $1.50 a litre I realised it.....

....the terrorists have already won.

EVLCRETURE
  • 1st Sep 2008 03:01pm

I find it interesting that the majority of replys posted are of the opinion that if it is not happening in there back yard then it does not appply to them, or they would report a bomb or somthing if they saw it. What people need to realise is that such an event were to occur it would have far reaching concequences, it does not have to occur in your back yard for it to effect you. In any event if any of these things were to happen do you think that any of the people involved are going to call a hot line to report it? I know that I and many of the other respondants would call the police, do you think that the police are going to say "this is the hot line that you need to call" I dont think so. So I agree with the majority here about it being a waste of money setting up a call centre. I also question the motivation behind the AD campaign. The government has to be seen to be responding to the events as they occur or be accused of not careing or failing to respond. If there was to be an event then all of these same people would be asking why nothing was done in the first place. It is so easy to sit back and pull apart the efforts of others when you are not responseble. I also note that none of the critics were puting there own suggestions forward on how to respond to the threat. Perhapse if they have better ideas on what to do about it they should speak up, then we can put it to a public forum such as this and see what sort of responce they get. Maybe the public should get an oppertunity to express there opinion on how the country shoul respond to such things, you never know what might come up. In the end if one person sees somthing, reports it and it prevents an event its all worth it.

greg60
  • 2nd Sep 2008 10:55am
I find it interesting that the majority of replys posted are of the opinion that if it is not happening in there back yard then it does not appply to them, or they would report a bomb or somthing...

I get your point EVLCRETURE, but should we create a threat where none exists? Sure, we can not afford to be complacent but should we go off on a government inspired witch hunt? The Bali bombings served to illustrate that Australians are seen by these people as legitimate targets but I will not be drawn into any kind of vigilante paranoia. We are lucky to live in the greatest nation on earth and any degradation of our lifestyle would be a personal defeat for me.

missscarlet
  • 29th Aug 2008 09:25pm

Although there is a war happening right now, i personally have not seen any terrorists in my part of the world.

I would be asking why is the USA giving Israel money,and all the Militiary warfare it needs.

I think the real terrorists are the USA...the UNunited States of America

penny
  • 18th Jul 2008 04:19pm

i think it's very effective for young people (like kids, and teens, possible those in their 20s) because it raises awareness that everyone can help out Australia as a whole to make it a better and safer place.
If i heard anything suspicous it would make be act upon it.
I also think it's great to raise awareness that there actually is a number to call to help out- because some people feel useless.

Ken
  • 1st Jul 2008 01:04pm

I believe the TV ad has made me much more aware of the terrorist situation but the good thing about it , we (the public) now have somewhere to report anything "dodgy" let the experts decide how dodgy...just report it. I am a pilot and have access to "Airside" at Australian Airports so I do keep a constant private vigil when near or on an airport and I have reported photographers to airport security , he was taking pictures of aircraft (innocently as it turned out) but what he was'nt aware of was some of our Blackhawk Helicopter fleet was in the background having maintenance done, with a telephoto lens their secrets (if any) were there for the taking.
I would do this again and anything else I consider even slightly "dodgy" in a heart beat. If everyone remains vigilant we'll catch these gutless b.................Same applies to Kiwi's whether in OZ or home after all NZ is really our 7th State (bet that comment cops some flack !)

ronnie
  • 25th Jun 2008 01:27am

yeah i havve seen the ad and i think people are more vigilant
i am no more bags on the train etc
iy wouldn't take much for me to report something
depending on the nature
i watch people more now in general
i think open communication is our downfall as no one really is watching the net or watching other areas of communication
etc
its an ok add but some aussies wouldn't care anyway ads they just don't care about anything or anyoine

Zeurdan
  • 16th Jun 2008 04:30pm

As soon as there is an act of terrorism in this country that affects your families you will be the first ones to jump on this forum and say "What did the Government do to stop this from happening". Maybe they are doing the only thing they can do by providing a means of open communication to the public. After all the terrorist will probably be your neighbour.

Anonymous
  • 11th Jun 2008 04:17pm

A very scary and worrying development, as it smacks of encouraging neighbor to report on neighbor, a significant step towards a centralized sate apparatus. On the other hand, information is needed by police etc. to help prevent crime and other potential disasters, but I do not believe this is the way it should be done.

Mariposa
  • 10th Jun 2008 09:18am

After living in terrorist infested country for many years ,I really think that as Aussies we are far to complacent.The campaign was ineffective but at least it made people think.We live in the best country in the world yet no one seems really to take this threat seriously.

admiral
  • 4th Jun 2008 11:26am

Vigilance is necessary to protect our security.
The ads may not help a great deal but any reminder is helpful.
If you were one of those affected by death or injury to a relative any action would be helpful

Nifty100
  • 4th Jun 2008 08:59am

If thebomb was at outside Little Kevy Rudds door I certainly would not report it . Maybe the only way to save us from him,Gillard and Swan the ultimate do nothing team. What have we seen in the first six months symbolic spin spin and more spin. The only concrete worth while action has been to introduce John Howard's tax cuts.

unquelean
  • 4th Jun 2008 06:53am

I regarded these advertisements as an unsubtle way of the former government telling everyone how dangerous our world is, and how magnificently they were protecting us from 'naughty people'. As I have white-hot loathing for John Howard for using this despicable trick (stirring up racial hatred for his own political survival!), I didn't find the advertisements funny (I'm sure they were, just the same)
By these means (the promotion of fear - a dirty tactic first used here by Menzies, and causing old ladies to look under the bed for Communists before going to sleep), Howard was able to involve his country in an unnecessary war against Iraq, one of our trading partners, and the Bali bombings are a tangible result of Howard's bellicose alignment with the USA. Australia, almost forgiven for our presence in Vietnam, is once more hated in parts of the world thanks to the actions of our unlamented former government.

Wills
  • 14th May 2008 09:54am

I have reported activety mainly because i live on the coast of a pretty isolated place. the program i saw on this campain instilled in me a sense of duty to be actively aware of all suspicous going ons in our fair country. I think that all australians would be wise to look after their country as we are the only country that is the land of the free. Advertising of this nature should keep aussies on their toes.Wills Esperance WA.

tracwy
  • 6th May 2008 08:55am

made me paronoid, every time i see someone in a weird place with a camera i wonder if i should ring them......

Dirk
  • 24th Apr 2008 09:58am

I think awareness is worthwhile. Police and ASIO can't be everywhere. The ad raised my awareness of the need for everybody to watch out for suspicious behaviour and I am prepared to do that to keep this country safe for my children.

Bill
  • 28th Mar 2008 02:53pm

These ads are a complete waste of money. It was just John Howard trying to scare people into voting for him. I would like to think that if people saw something they thought was connected to terrorism (not just someone taking a picture of Sydney Harbour Bridge) that they would report it to the local police anyway.

heidi
  • 3rd Mar 2008 10:48am

Being from NZ, I haven't seen the ad, but I know from last time I was in Melbourne the "buy Australian made" ads that are run we have the same in NZ for "buy kiwi made".
Anti-terrorism ads haven't come to NZ and I think maybe we are a bit complacent, I mean why would anybody want to take over NZ when we are miles from anywhere?
In saying that I am a kiwi and love living in NZ and like to visit friends in OZ.

Sarah
  • 1st Mar 2008 06:33am

Well I'm a Kiwi over in NZ, and and I hadn't heard of this ad but it sounds a bit strange. It seems a bit too americiany to me. I think the only people who would use that hotline would be super paranoid people (If there's such thing as a paranoid aussie, maybe it would be visiting Americans) who see a bit of rubbish and freak out. And I'm sorry but I don't think many terrorists would actually care about Australia.

robbbyg
  • 5th Feb 2008 12:35am

The word terrorism was quite unknown until Bush used the power of propaganda and Australian government followed suit, what scares me is not the thought of terrorism but the innocent , can i say (dum) soldiers who signed up to protect this country from an imaginary and made up enemies.
The only terrorists are in heads of Government in the US and any others that follow their way of thinking.

Remember more have died fighting terrorists than people killed by Terrorists,
its like shark attacks, if you go into unknown and dangerous waters you might get bitten,
So stay out of the water (Iraq)

As far as the Ad goes, maybe people with I,Q's below average will fall for it , and actually ring up a government body to report something Suspicious,,

To anyone out there who is keeping an eye out for terrorists.... Get a life

errolsyd
  • 8th Oct 2011 09:38pm
The word terrorism was quite unknown until Bush used the power of propaganda and Australian government followed suit, what scares me is not the thought of terrorism but the innocent , can i say...

Dumb shit. The only terrorists are in heads of Government in the US and any others that follow their way of thinking.

Tell that to the families if the victims of 9/11, Bali , London you fool!
How about the planned attack on one of our Army bases?
Get back under your rock robbbyg darling!!!!!!!

smokey
  • 4th Feb 2008 09:30pm

The topic is valid in todays World where people are killed using mobile phones and yes I would report any suspect activities

Ernie
  • 4th Feb 2008 06:15pm

These days there is so much crime and corruption and anti-social behaviour that I wouldn't know what to report.

gramonaghan
  • 4th Feb 2008 03:20pm

I may approve of immigration, but I feel that standards have dropped over that past twenty years or so. Our coast, as well as New Zealand's coasts are to open, and we have a lot of trouble with illegal fishing already, so how are we to stop illegals from coming into Australia.
We already know that drugs are smuggled in too easily, so how do we stop illegal migrants from getting in.

denise
  • 14th Jan 2008 04:05pm

i agree too with tabby cat,this ad is a waste of time and doesnt help

badassftw
  • 4th Dec 2007 09:45pm

Yes the add is about National Security but a terrorist is not going to ring in before he blows you up only after he has done the job. ASIO are a bunch of brain deads who do nothing until they sit around a big table talk about it ,get as much data as they can then it goes through the chain of command then it is sent to the section that will deal with it. By that time the bombs have already gone off. Prime example Bali.. They knew about it for days but did nothing but pick up the remains and send our Federal Police on a nice holiday while the australian army did all the work. Here in australia if you want to get on to a army base its as easy as, and here in Perth they only have people at the main gates. IF your that way and want to get your hands on a m16 go for it or the stiens 5.56mm that they use now . As for me there is no point blowing up the australian government as they will only put another brainless monkey back in there place, so there is no point. If you dont like the country then get the hell out and stay out .......ehwatdafuk

navygirl
  • 12th Oct 2007 01:45pm



I too have tired of the ad, maybe it needs to be updated. In my past job security was second nature to me around government buildings and because of Sept 11 and Bali, now everyone has to be a little more suspicious . I think that is all the ad was trying to
convey. How many times have we seen something suspicious and its not till later that we put two and two together and realised we should have acted sooner. No I am not talking about terrorist activity but just everyday stuff.....however, its the same principle.
I'd much rather ring the hotline number, and feel stupid, rather than feel awful about it later.

Blueboi
  • 3rd Oct 2007 02:02pm

It's interesting what people think of this ad. I believe it is important to educate the public of their responsibilities and at the same time advise them of who to call. If we did not tell the community and something happen, them people would complain they were not informed and who to call.

We all know people who know people and it is surprising how much information we know about people we don’t know personally. That said, if you heard something that concerns you, would you not want to tell someone. Or is you saw something that was strange or out of place.

I would as you never know what impact an event will have on you, your family and friends and your employment. A major incident in this country could really damage our economy, tourism and way of life. We all need to protect Australia.

Race, religion, politics’ do not come into this, we are taking about protect all Australia, born here or not.

KennethS
  • 24th Sep 2007 07:23pm

We all like to think a terrorist attack won't happen here, but there is sufficient intelligence in the public arena, to indicate that there are sufficient disaffected individuals living in Australia to pose a risk. The government is between a rock and a hardplace, damned if they do, and they will not only be damned if they don't but nationally reviled if an attack does happen, particularly if the press get the idea that lack of government awareness and alertness were contributing factors to the successful execution of a terrorist attack. Remember that the successful attacks in Britain were from home grown Muslim terrorists who were all UK residents or citizens.
One other point on the value of intelligence, the possession of intelligence on a group is at its most valuable when the subject is unaware that they have been and are being watched, it becomes virtually valueless when it becomes public knowledge.
As much as some of us may dislike a government, they have to make the hard decisions, and the information on which those decisions were made must remain classified to preserve the value and the source of the intelligence.

wendy
  • 21st Sep 2007 09:47am

Protection should start in our own country first, our government is responisible for our safty here in Australia first before they go sending our troops to other country.

clareok
  • 16th Sep 2007 12:46am

If I saw something that I thought was sus, I probably would keep an eye on it for a couple of days and if I deadset thought something was up, I would definitely ring.

Alicia
  • 13th Sep 2007 05:15pm

I am very aware of terrorism. Having lived abroad for two years, it really opened my eyes up to what can happen I think the campaign is working, as it does make you think. Recently I was at a shopping centre in Brisbane, and there was a back pack lying on the ground in the middle of know where. The first thing I thought of was "it could be a bomb." Years ago, I would have walked up, picked it up and taken it to customer service, but there was NO WAY i was touching that bag now. As I stood there, some one else came and picked it up. I think they had driven off with it on the top of their car and not realised!!
Something doesn't need to be too serious for me to report it. I would feel to guilty if I found out that I could have prevented someone getting hurt, or worse, killed.

Dogs
  • 14th Aug 2007 01:20pm

I agree with your comments Maureen. To know how effective campaigns such as this are we need feedback that we can understand and trust and then we can measure and comment on the cost effectiveness. When my son (a proud career member of the ADF) was about to be deployed to Iraq I sent numerous emails to all forms of media and all the major political parties requesting that someone (preferably our government) explain to the Australian public, in a clear and understandable manner, the exact justifiable reason for such a drastic action as invading another country. Unfortunately the intelligence that prompted this action of the Australian Government, acting on our behalf, was never shared with or explained fully to the general public of this country. Security integrity understood and aside we must be more fully informed and our government must realise they are accountable to us DAILY not just during an election year. They work for us and MUST keep us fully informed of their actions.

Maureen
  • 14th Aug 2007 08:46am

Actually, it's hard to know how effective the campaign is when we don't hear of any results. Have potential terrorists plans been nipped in the bud? Have suspicious networks been uncovered in Australia? We don't even know how many calls are received each week/month/year. A little feedback from the government on the value of the service might help.
Maureen

sunshine
  • 2nd Aug 2007 02:52pm

Look some of you may not like the opinion I present but I think the idea of a hotline to go to is a good idea that its there for you but advertising everyday about terrorist attacks is just going to make everyone more scared of each other. what happened to the old days when I remember people would leave there doors unlocked and actually "speak" to there neighbours. Australia nd New Zealand are Islands so the first defence to terrorism sould be our border control, Is the governement saying that its that bad that we the people have to make up for there mistakes of not getting the terrerists in the first place. I know alot of the terrorists are still normally born in the country they attack. But doesnt terrorism relate to people that inflict terror in others? That would be anyone with a gun or anyone we deem to be terrorising right?

Anonymous
  • 1st Aug 2007 05:58pm

I think the ad is good, in that it does encourage people to report things they consider suspicious, when they would usually just ignore it. Terrorism is an issue in our world today and because Australia has not yet experienced it in our own country, that doesn't mean we should ignore it.

melon
  • 20th Jul 2007 10:24am

This campaign instills a sense of fear in the public that they are constantly under threat from terrorist activities. this is ofcourse not the case. The Australian government have to make it seem like terrorism is a real threat to Australia as justification for sending Australian troops to Iraq and supporting the United States.

Anonymous
  • 19th Jul 2007 01:39pm

in this day and age i think people are minding their own business even if they see something sus they tend to not step in as it is easier to turn a blind eye to anything out of ordinary people may coment on situations with their friends but do not respond to do anything about the situation

Unknown
  • 13th Jul 2007 04:08pm

people these days are too busy with their own lives! and who would remember a phone no if they did see something suspeces!!

paradisi
  • 12th Jul 2007 01:34pm

Politics of paranoia.

Jack Boot Johnny Howard is the supremo as far as scaremongering goes - especially when he is still trying to hang on to the 8% of the vote share that Pauline Hanson took.
Tampa, the pacific solution, kids over board, the fridge magnet and this are all that's needed to awaken the latent xenophobia in quite a lot of australians and to encourage them to vote "liberal". And isn't it strange that only in Australia is "liberal" used to mean right wing conservatism.

snark
  • 11th Jul 2007 04:26pm

I don't think its a complete waste of time, but when more money is being spent on Defense than Education in Australia then yes it's getting a bit ridiculous. Out with the add... in with better education I say.

jaffe
  • 28th Jun 2007 12:54pm

Well written Vivid! As for the question Peter aks I can only answer in one way- if I saw a bomb

Sim-one
  • 25th Jun 2007 08:32pm

I think this ad is scare mongering in alot of ways. The thing I really loved was the fact they spent some exorbitant amount of millions on sending us all fridge magnets when the campaign first started, have you still got yours? If I saw something that didn't look right I would report it, but then again if you were at the railway station and saw something looking dodgy wouldn't you let someone know?
In all I dont think the ad was effective, I think after all the media attention about terrorist activity people are going to think twice in some situations without needing a fridge magnet to tell them what to do, and if I spotted an abandoned backpack (like in the ad), it would probably end up in lost property anyways before anyone thought to check for a bomb!

vivid
  • 27th Jun 2007 05:02pm
The word terrorism was quite unknown until Bush used the power of propaganda and Australian government followed suit, what scares me is not the thought of terrorism but the innocent , can i say...

Terrorism isn't the problem here, its the 'ism'
fear mongering at its best, and used to smoke screen the main agenda of the politicians, being absolute power at the detriment of our freedom, and human rights.
We are so often told by the commercial news stations, particularly channel 10, that 'We are scared' and 'Ways to protect you and your family from terrorism' etc..
If they tell us enough times, it will become true.
How much of a threat are we really under, and how much will it cost us to feel safe?

If it smells like it, it probably is...

vivid
  • 26th Jun 2007 01:04pm
I think this ad is scare mongering in alot of ways. The thing I really loved was the fact they spent some exorbitant amount of millions on sending us all fridge magnets when the campaign first...

Thanks for your reply Sim-one.  What would it take for you, or for anyone else viewing this forum, to report someone to the authorities?

andycm
  • 23rd Jun 2007 05:21pm

Another way the Australian government is wasting the tax payers money again with stupid adds, these adds will only do harm in the long run.

jaffe
  • 21st Jun 2007 07:19am

I'm sorry but this add is just to tied in with the current Governments scare tactics for me to be objective in any way. I hate this add. Cheers

Squeak
  • 20th Jun 2007 03:25pm

I agree with Tabby Cat. It just seems like a massive waste of time. People naturally look for the good in other people, and I don't think anyone in the know would use the hot line. Even domestic thuggery, like the bikies, wouldn't really get reported. I think Australians are too lazy and laid back. I know I am.

That said, we had about thirty bags of fertilizer sitting outside our house for weeks, and no-one reported us, even though if you look at our front yard, you wouldn't think we gave a red cent about our garden! Everyone's obviously assumed the best - "They must be working on the back yard."

Anonymous
  • 27th Aug 2008 05:54pm
I agree with Tabby Cat. It just seems like a massive waste of time. People naturally look for the good in other people, and I don't think anyone in the know would use the hot line. Even domestic...

I Agree With Tabby And Squeak. It is A Massive Waste Of Time Because If We Were Vigilant Every One would Be Calling In Every 10 Minutes That Live Near LAKEMBA Thats Just how Much Of A Shitty Suburb It Is.Thats Just My Thoughts On The Subject.

Tabby Cat
  • 19th Jun 2007 03:34pm

This television campaign has been running for quite a while now. And when it first went to air, I thought it would probably be a waste of time, generating problems for members of ethnic groups, driven by people with either over active imaginations, a grudge or just plain racist views.
I still believe the campaign to be a waste of time, because 1) terrorists do not advertise openly their plans for a terrorist activity and 2) if you know of someone planning such an event, you are probably "in the know" because you are in on it, so why would you call?
There are so many other issues the government could be throwing our tax dollars at, such as health and education. Of course I never want a terrorist activity to happen in Australia or be actioned from Australia, but I don't believe the call centre for this one is needing to up it's staff levels!

greg60
  • 28th Aug 2008 12:09am
This television campaign has been running for quite a while now. And when it first went to air, I thought it would probably be a waste of time, generating problems for members of ethnic groups,...

I agree with you also Tabby Cat. This initiative, which began under the Howard administration, has proven to be another waste of taxpayers money and should be scrapped by the Rudd government. I live in a rural area in which the only tactical target for terrorists would be a large shady eucalyptus which is home for a mob of kangaroos during the day. However, I am ever vigilant for terrorist cells of emus. They may take our shady gum tree, but they shall never take our FREEDOM!!!!!! Gimme a break.
At the risk of sounding insensitive, since 9/11 mass hysteria has exploded around the planet. And even in my little part of the world if a goanna even gives me a threatening look I will shoot first and ask questions later, sound familiar?

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