Fed: Terror hotline tally more than 700

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Fed: Terror hotline tally more than 700

CANBERRA, Dec 31 AAP - More than 700 people have called the government's terror alerthotline, federal Attorney General Daryl Williams said today.

Mr Williams said he did not believe the large number of calls indicated many false reports.

"Since the call centre was opened there have been some 723 calls and the majority ofthem have been people providing information about matters they have a concern about andpeople seeking a general assurance about, for example, attending a public event," he saidon ABC radio.

The hotline opened on Sunday.

Mr Williams said calls were taken by trained operators who would assess the appropriatemanner to deal with the matter.

If the operators believed it was an emergency, it would be referred to proper authorities.

Operators could refer calls to police or security agencies.

Mr Williams said it was too early to make an analysis of how the hotline was operating.

He said the number of calls may indicate a storing up of opportunities by people suspiciousof something in their neighbourhood.

"If someone deliberately provides false information, for example a bomb hoax, thatis a very serious criminal offence," he said.

"Anybody is liable to be prosecuted, convicted and suffer a heavy penalty."

Mr Williams rejected suggestions that the hotline could encourage false and malicious calls.

He said a number of calls about a particular activity or group of people would indicatea thorough investigation might be justified.

"(But) if someone complains falsely about another and that person is innocent, anyinquiry is going to establish that fairly quickly," he said.

Mr Williams said the television advertisements could not carry large amounts of informationexplaining what people should be alert for.

He said much more information would be contained in a booklet to be released later.

"The message is to invite people to share responsibility for maintaining the securityof Australia and Australians," he said.

"All people are asked to do is to be vigilant about anything that they regard as unusualor suspicious."

AAP mb/rcg

KEYWORD: TERROR AUST AG