Attorney General calls for submissions on terrorist risk of pool chemicals

In 2011, we saw the devastating effects of precursor chemicals when a homemade explosive device was detonated in Oslo, Norway, killing eight people and injuring 90.

That bomb was created using chemical materials that are readily available in Australia, including fertilizer, nitromethane and aluminium.

So far Australia has been fortunate in not having experienced a direct terrorist attack on its own soil. However, it has still been impacted significantly through terrorism incidents worldwide, many of which involved chemical explosives.

In February 2012, the Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) will call for public submissions on a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) that analyses four options for reducing the security risks posed by a number of chemicals that can be used to make homemade explosives.

AGD is particularly interested in feedback from businesses that import, manufacture, distribute, transport, handle or use products containing the chemicals.

The department expects the RIS to be available for comment from February 3, 2012  to March 30, 2012.

For further information on the RIS, including the list of precursor chemicals and details on how to make a submission, please refer to the AGD Chemical Security program website: www.chemicalsecurity.gov.au. You can also call AGD on (02) 6141 2925 or (02) 6141 3012.

The AGD is particularly interested in the following chemicals:

• Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

• Ammonium perchlorate (NH4ClO4)

• Sodium chlorate (NaClO3)

• Sodium nitrate (NaNO3)

• Nitric acid (HNO3)

• Potassium nitrate (KNO3)

• Potassium chlorate (KClO3)

• Nitromethane (CH3NO2)

• Sodium perchlorate (NaClO4)

• Sodium azide (NaN3)

• Potassium perchlorate (KClO4)