Canberra: The Australian government today said it is pushing through an amendment to its anti-terror laws in the wake of a new terror threat to the country.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said security officials are on high alert after the nation's top spy agency warned of the threat of home-grown terrorists.
"The government is acting against the assessment of intelligence agencies that a terrorist attack in Australia is feasible and could well occur," he said.
Howard was referring to a report by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) on the threat of home-grown terrorism, which was presented to parliament on Tuesday.
He refused to give any details about the tip received by the police, saying only that the amendment to the existing counter terrorism legislation would help the authorities effectively deal with the threat.
?The attorney general would introduce the amendment in the Parliament later today and the government would press for its approval through the evening before recalling the senate tomorrow to pass it into law,? Howard said.
The government has rejected accusations that its support of the U.S. in Iraq has increased the risk of attacks, although al Qaeda has repeatedly named Australia as a target.
(With inputs from agencies)
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