Play your part in protecting our national security
3 February 2011
Hairdressers, farmers, cleaners, gardeners, pharmacists, mums, dads and students can all help to keep Australia safe by putting forward ideas about how to reduce the potential for everyday, household chemicals to be used in terrorist attacks.
“All Australians can play an important role in protecting our national security by suggesting how we can prevent potentially dangerous chemicals from getting into the wrong hands,” Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said
“The reality is that certain everyday chemicals used in the garden, for the family pool, at the hairdresser or on the farm can be used in terrorist attacks.
“We need to work together to ensure that these types of chemicals are used safely and for their intended purpose.
“Currently, standard anti-theft industry practices and workplace health and safety regulations such as those that provide for the safe storage of chemicals make it difficult for these chemicals to fall into the wrong hands but we know more needs to be done to restrict access.
“I’m calling on small business, industry and everyday Australians to provide us with their views to ensure that actions taken by government to protect the community are workable and cost effective.
“Together, we can all work to keep Australia safe,” Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said.
Public comment is being sought on four options to address the security risks posed by 11 chemicals of security concern – the first of 96 chemicals being reviewed through the Council of
Australian Government’s Chemical Security Management Framework.
“Industry representatives have been involved in the development of the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) and continued input in this consultation will be extremely valuable, “Attorney-General Roxon said
The four options subject to consultation include a targeted awareness campaign, industry-led codes of practice, a government-led code of practice and supply chain regulation.
The Consultation RIS and information on how to make a submission are available at www.chemicalsecurity/RIS or by contacting the Attorney-General’s Department: (02) 6141 2925. Submissions can be received from today until 30 March 2012.
Background information about the 11 precursor chemicals under review is attached.
Media contact: Attorney-General’s Office - 02 6277 7300
11 Precursor Chemicals to Homemade Explosives |
|---|
Chemical |
Percentage/Form |
Typical uses in Australia |
|---|
Ammonium perchlorate |
Ammonium perchlorate at a concentration of 65% or above, and
Ammonium perchlorate where it is in pure aqueous solution and the ammonium perchlorate is at a concentration of 10% or above. |
Used in industry sectors such as fireworks and explosives, rocketry, and as a laboratory and diagnostic reagent |
Hydrogen peroxide |
Hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions at any concentration, and
Hydrogen peroxide where it is a mixture with one or more other chemical/s (not counting water) and the hydrogen peroxide is at a concentration of 15%or above. |
Widely used in diverse industry sectors such as paper and pulp bleaching, laundry, food and beverage, dairy, hair and beauty, mining, pool and spa, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, cleaning |
Nitric acid |
Nitric acid at a concentration of 30% or above. |
Widely used in diverse industry sectors such as mining, food and dairy, food and beverage, metal processing and treatment, chemical processing and supply |
Nitromethane |
Nitromethane where it is at a concentration of 10% or above |
Widely used in industry sectors such as pharmaceuticals, analytical laboratories, as a racing fuel in high performance racing and in hobby shops as a fuel component in radio-controlled models |
Potassium chlorate |
Potassium chlorate at a concentration of 65% or above, and
Potassium chlorate where it is in pure aqueous solution and the potassium chlorate is at a concentration of 10% or above. |
Used in industry sectors such as fireworks and explosives, and as a laboratory and diagnostic reagent |
Potassium nitrate |
Potassium nitrate at a concentration of 65% or above, and
Potassium nitrate where it is in pure aqueous solution and the potassium nitrate is at a concentration of 10% or above. |
A number of industry uses including fertilisers, fireworks and rocketry, and also in food preservation |
Potassium perchlorate |
Potassium perchlorate at a concentration of 65% or above, and
Potassium perchlorate where it is in pure aqueous solution and the potassium perchlorate is at a concentration of 10% or above. |
Used in industry sectors such as fireworks and explosives, smelting and as a laboratory and diagnostic reagent |
Sodium azide |
Sodium azide at a concentration of 95% or above. |
Used in industry sectors such as smelting, as a biocide in hospitals and laboratories and in dairies |
Sodium chlorate |
Sodium chlorate at a concentration of 65% or above, and
Sodium chlorate where it is in pure aqueous solution and the sodium chlorate is at a concentration of 10% or above. |
Widely used in diverse industry sectors such as mining, metal treatment, paper production, as a food chemical, and as a laboratory and diagnostic reagent |
Sodium nitrate |
Sodium nitrate at a concentration of 65% or above, and
Sodium nitrate where it is in pure aqueous solution and the sodium nitrate is at a concentration of 10% or above. |
Has a variety of industry uses including as an ingredient in fertilisers, pyrotechnics, as a food preservative and as a solid rocket propellant |
Sodium perchlorate |
Sodium perchlorate at a concentration of 65% or above, and
Sodium perchlorate where it is in pure aqueous solution and the sodium perchlorate is at a concentration of 10% or above. |
Used in industry sectors such as mining and smelting, and as a laboratory and diagnostic reagent |