Al-Qaeda has named Australia as a prime target for firebombing in an online terrorism magazine.The article in Inspire magazine, entitled "It is of your freedom to ignite a firebomb", gives a step-by-step guide to building an "ember bomb", which it says is the best way to start brush fires, and suggests the best times of the year to start fires in different parts of Australia. A picture of the Sydney Opera House with smoke clouds behind it - captioned "Sydney city on fire" - was used to illustrate the story.
The article was condemned yesterday by Attorney-General Nicola Roxon, who reassured the public that there was no imminent terrorist threat. However, she said it was a timely reminder that the threat of violent extremism in Australia remains. She said, "I have instructed my department to draw this material to the attention of relevant authorities, including the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Communications and Media Authority."