Bin Laden terror threat to Australia

The Australian government warned today that a “credible” terrorism threat linked to Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida network had been made against the country.

The message was similar to threats received in recent days by the United States and Britain, justice minister Chris Ellison said.

“The Australian government has received credible information as to a possible terrorist threat in Australia over the next couple of months,” Ellison said.

“The information, whilst general and not specific as to target and timing, is nonetheless, credible,” Ellison added.

But he vowed that because of increased vigilance, “it still will mean business as usual in Australia”.

The warning came the day a British-born Muslim convert appeared in a Perth court and denied charges of plotting to blow up Israeli diplomatic posts in Australia. The warning and the court case were not related.