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Australian leaders condemn Brussels terrorist attacks and pledge support Australian leaders condemn Brussels terrorist attacks and pledge support
(about 2 hours later)
Australian leaders have condemned terrorist attacks in Brussels which have killed at least 31 and wounded 250, although authorities have not determined if any Australians have been affected.Australian leaders have condemned terrorist attacks in Brussels which have killed at least 31 and wounded 250, although authorities have not determined if any Australians have been affected.
The terrorist attacks consisted of two bomb explosions at Zaventem airport and one in Maelbeek. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack through its media wing, but its claim of responsibility has not yet been formally verified.The terrorist attacks consisted of two bomb explosions at Zaventem airport and one in Maelbeek. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack through its media wing, but its claim of responsibility has not yet been formally verified.
Foreign minister Julie Bishop said in a statement “the Australian government condemns the coordinated terror attacks on 22 March in Belgium. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of Belgium.” The foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop, said in a statement: “The Australian government condemns the coordinated terror attacks on 22 March in Belgium. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of Belgium.”
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) is urgently seeking to determine whether any Australians have been affected.“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) is urgently seeking to determine whether any Australians have been affected.
Related: Brussels police carry out raids in manhunt for suspected bomberRelated: Brussels police carry out raids in manhunt for suspected bomber
“I understand Belgian authorities have activated their emergency plan in response to these attacks and increased the national threat level to its maximum level,” she said.“I understand Belgian authorities have activated their emergency plan in response to these attacks and increased the national threat level to its maximum level,” she said.
Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said “all Australians condemn these cowardly terrorist attacks in Brussels. And the Belgian people have our thoughts, our prayers and our resolute solidarity in this battle against terrorism.” The prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, said: “All Australians condemn these cowardly terrorist attacks in Brussels. And the Belgian people have our thoughts, our prayers and our resolute solidarity in this battle against terrorism.
“They are utterly cowardly attacks, attacking innocent people, but we need to be constantly vigilant, vigilance is the key.”“They are utterly cowardly attacks, attacking innocent people, but we need to be constantly vigilant, vigilance is the key.”
Turnbull confirmed at 7.50am on 23 March that “so far we have no news of Australians being killed or injured”.Turnbull confirmed at 7.50am on 23 March that “so far we have no news of Australians being killed or injured”.
Turnbull said Australia was in a stronger security position than Europe because the country has “strong border protection”, with fewer porous borders, and “a much greater insight into people who we would regard as being threats or likely to pose a risk to safety of Australians”.Turnbull said Australia was in a stronger security position than Europe because the country has “strong border protection”, with fewer porous borders, and “a much greater insight into people who we would regard as being threats or likely to pose a risk to safety of Australians”.
The government has upgraded travel advice for Belgium to advise Australian travellers to reconsider their need to travel. “Australians in Brussels should remain attentive to their surroundings, avoid affected areas and follow the instructions of local authorities,” Bishop said. The government has upgraded travel advice for Belgium, advising Australian travellers to reconsider their need to travel.
“I have spoken with our ambassador Dr Mark Higgie for an assessment of the situation and confirmation that our Embassy staff and their families are safe.” “Australians in Brussels should remain attentive to their surroundings, avoid affected areas and follow the instructions of local authorities,” Bishop said.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten labelled the events “shocking and distressing” in a Tweet: “I have spoken with our ambassador Dr Mark Higgie for an assessment of the situation and confirmation that our embassy staff and their families are safe.”
The opposition leader, Bill Shorten, labelled the events “shocking and distressing”.
These are shocking and distressing events unfolding in Brussels. Australian hearts go out to all those who live in this great city.These are shocking and distressing events unfolding in Brussels. Australian hearts go out to all those who live in this great city.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott described the event as a “dreadful atrocity” and added “killing people in the name of God is simply evil”: Former prime minister Tony Abbott described the event as a “dreadful atrocity” and added “killing people in the name of God is simply evil”.
A dreadful atrocity. Killing people in the name of of God is simply evil. All our thoughts and prayers must be with the people of Brussels.A dreadful atrocity. Killing people in the name of of God is simply evil. All our thoughts and prayers must be with the people of Brussels.
Former prime minister Julia Gillard described the attacks as horrifying and “an assault on fundamental human values”: Former prime minister Julia Gillard described the attacks as horrifying and “an assault on fundamental human values”.
The Brussels attacks are horrifying-an assault on fundamental human values. We all mourn with the people of Brussels and stand with them-JGThe Brussels attacks are horrifying-an assault on fundamental human values. We all mourn with the people of Brussels and stand with them-JG
Attorney general George Brandis told ABC radio that terror alert levels were always under review and the attacks would be considered but “at the moment, the Australian terror alert level remains at probable, which is where it has been since September of 2014”. The attorney general, George Brandis, told ABC radio that terror alert levels were always under review but “at the moment, the Australian terror alert level remains at probable, which is where it has been since September of 2014”.
Brandis said since September 2014 there had been three individual terrorist events in Australia which were all “lone wolf” attacks. “During the same period, we have disrupted six other imminent terrorist events.” Brandis said since September 2014 there had been three individual terrorist events in Australia which were all “lone wolf” attacks. “During the same period, we have disrupted six other imminent terrorist events,” he said.
Bishop advised that Australians concerned about the welfare of family and friends in the region should attempt to contact them directly.Bishop advised that Australians concerned about the welfare of family and friends in the region should attempt to contact them directly.
If unable to contact loved ones, Australians who still hold concerns for their welfare ones were advised to call the Dfat 24 hour consular emergency centre on 1300 555 135 or +61 2 6261 3305 if calling from overseas. If unable to contact loved ones, Australians were advised to call the Dfat 24-hour consular emergency centre on 1300 555 135 or +61 2 6261 3305 if calling from overseas.