City not identified as terror target
MAJOR Gold Coast tourism facilities such as the Coolangatta airport are under “no threat” in the wake of the weekend’s terror scares, says newly reappointed Police Commissioner Ian Stewart.
Four men were arrested in NSW over the weekend after counter-terror raids halted a plot to bomb a plane leaving Australia.
Commissioner Stewart gave the Palaszczuk Government a confidential briefing at the Evandale council chambers yes- terday on the first day of the state executive’s week on the Gold Coast.
He told political leaders the city had not been identified as a target, according to the most recent intelligence.
“There is still the thought that other targets may have been identified by these people and certainly that is the focus of the investigation,” he said.
“I can assure you there is no known threat to Queensland, anyone in Queensland or any asset and the national alert level remains the same.”
The cabinet meeting was held amid high security at the Bundall council complex, with a large number of police and council guards present.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said investigations were ongoing.
“We are always vigilant around terrorist activity in the nation and we are working closely with agency partners,” he said. “The threat level remains at probable and the police are monitoring all the intelligence provided to us.”
In announcing a new threeyear deal for Commissioner Stewart, Ms Palaszczuk, who held talks with Mayor Tom Tate and other officials yesterday, said: “I wanted to ensure we had continuity in the leadership of the Queensland Police Service to and through the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.”
Mr Stewart, a career police officer with more than 40 years experience, has been Queensland’s police commissioner since November 2012.
His time in the position hasn’t been without controversy, with the Queensland Police Union in May attacking the service’s senior management.
Acting union president Shayne Maxwell said morale throughout the force was low.