Rt Hon Helen Clark
Prime Minister

15 October 2001

We have been considering a range of measures to deal with any heightened terrorist risk. As part of that, experts here have been considering what materials, including biological and chemical agents, could possibly be employed for terrorist purposes.

We do not believe that there is an enhanced threat to New Zealand following the US events but we have been examining the implications and risks. We have no information to suggest that New Zealand might be a particular target in any future terrorist attacks. But we cannot be complacent.

In respect of biological agents, officials have been consulting technical experts from industry and the medical world. They have considered the various toxic agents that might possibly be used, and have reviewed the security measures in place for them.

There is a heightened interest in anthrax at the moment because of the cases in the US. It is important to keep this in perspective. Anthrax is not an exotic new disease created by terrorists for mass annihilation. It is a well-understood disease that occurs in animals and exists in many parts of the world (but uncommonly in New Zealand). It is not contagious and is treatable with standard antibiotics.

The agencies responsible for these issues have been examining the risks. Recognising that no system of prevention can be perfect, emergency services have also been reviewing their immediate response systems should preventative measures be insufficient. Medical authorities have been examining their preparedness to deal with possible casualties.

Those responsible have reviewed the routine procedures involving Police and New Zealand Post that deal with suspicious packages received through the mail, and have reinforced these procedures for dealing with incidents like those in the US.

Having said that, I have no wish to raise undue concerns about the level of that risk. All of the work that has been done has been entirely on a precautionary basis. There have been relatively few attempts by terrorists to use chemical and biological agents in the last several decades and, in practice, they have achieved limited success.

I am satisfied that we have in place appropriate and common-sense measures to address this contingency.