Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I do not know what information the senator is seeking, but I think all rational participants in Australian politics would see September 11 for what it was: an aggressive attack on the United States which justified what the Howard government did in invoking the ANZUS Treaty—with the support of the opposition. It was an attack launched by jihadists, who were prepared to do anything to achieve their goal of mass civilian slaughter. We are all united in our condemnation of it.

I commemorated September 11 at the US embassy this week. I was proud to speak, and to speak I think for all members of this parliament, when I made the points I did. We can be satisfied but not complacent with the fact that in the 11 years since September 11 there has not been a comparable attack on a Western capital because of excellent intelligence work, the sort of intelligence with which we cooperate with our American friends and other allies very closely. We cannot be complacent because the prospect of an attack using a weapon of mass destruction, such as a backpack nuclear bomb or a suitcase nuclear bomb, remains very real. We have all said on many occasions that Western intelligence has to win 100 times out of 100; the terrorists can fail on 99 occasions and enjoy a breakthrough on their 100th attempt. I believe security agencies in Australia should take some satisfaction from the fact that there have not been serious attempts. (Time expired)