Transport security
Keeping our public transport system safe
Queensland is not immune to the threat of terrorism faced by the rest of the world and the whole of Australia. The July 2005 terrorist attacks in London showed that public transport can be a terrorist target. All Australian states and territories have agreed on priorities for strengthening surface transport security. These include making the travelling public more aware of risks and avenues for reporting suspicious items or behaviour.
The Queensland Government has put in place a public transport security package, initially focussing on south-east Queensland, to keep public transport safe. The package consists of:
- a public awareness campaign
- security programs for public transport operators and workers
- independent risk reviews of public transport
- consulting with peak bodies and unions to raise awareness.
The public awareness campaign started in south-east Queensland in September 2005. The campaign asked the travelling public to report suspicious items, or behaviour, to transport staff or by calling the national security hotline on 1800 123 400f. The advertising campaign appears widely on buses, trains, ferries, bus stops, bus interchanges, train stations and ferry terminals, as well as in the Courier Mail and on television.
What is suspicious behaviour?
It depends on the circumstances, but it is a combination of where people are, when they are there, and what they are doing. Common sense will tell you. If something seems wrong, make the call. As the advertisements say, if something doesn't look or feel right, report it.
What happens when I call the hotline?
The call centre operator will help you to provide as much information as you can—detailed descriptions of people, places, vehicles and anything else that has made you think what you have seen is suspicious. You can remain anonymous, but if you at least give your phone number investigators can contact you for further information if necessary. Your information is passed to the Queensland Police and is kept strictly confidential.
Enquiries about Queensland Government public transport security arrangements: +61 7 3306 7319a or transec@transport.qld.gov.au.
Enquiries about the campaign: +61 7 3306 7557a or transec@transport.qld.gov.au.
Media release
Published news information can be found on the Queensland Government's Ministerial Media Statements website.
Related links:
- security information for Queenslanders
- Queensland Police Service
- Queensland Emergency Services
- National Security Australia*.
Campaign materials
Bus and ferry poster (PDF**, 59KB)
Press poster (PDF**, 122KB)
Counter-terrorism poster (PDF**, 80KB)
Transport counter-terrorism poster (PDF**, 98KB)
30 second television commercial (MPEG#, 3.5MB)
*The content found by using this link is not created, controlled or approved by this department. No responsibility is taken for the consequences of viewing content on this site. This link will load into a new window.
**While this department has taken every possible precaution with the creation of these files, they are downloaded and used at your own risk. Adobe Reader is required to open and print Portable Document Format (PDF) files and is free to download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. Various tools to enable access to these files for people using a screen reader can be found at http://access.adobe.com. Further information is available from our "Help with downloading, reading and printing PDF" web page.
#While this department has taken every possible precaution with the creation of these files they are downloaded and used at your own risk. If you do not have software that can play video/sound files, download QuickTime or Windows Media Player. These sites will open in a new window.
aHigher rates apply from mobile phones and payphones. If calling outside of Queensland, STD rates will apply.
fFree call in Australia, call charges apply to calls from mobiles phones.
Last updated 09 January 2008
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