New guidelines introduced to protect Australia from improvised explosive devices

The Australian government on Wednesday released a set of guidelines so that businesses and the public can best protect themselves from wide scale terror attacks.

Announced by Michael Keenan, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter Terrorism, the Improvised Explosive Device Guidelines for Places of Mass Gathering (IED Guidelines) informed the public how to best identify and prevent the threat of an IED device.

IEDs can be placed in cars, luggage, backpacks, trash cans and other structures in high-profile locations.

According to the guidelines, developed in conjunction with the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC), businesses and the public must use constant vigilance, report any suspicious acts and follow the PPRR (prevention, preparedness, response and recovery) guidelines.

Keenan said the increase of terror attacks in western countries over recent months prompted the government to act and develop the guidelines for mitigating the damage of an IED attack.

"Sadly as we have seen overseas in recent months, crowded places, such as public transport hubs, shopping malls and entertainment precincts, can be vulnerable to terrorist attacks," Keenan said in a statement on Wednesday.

"This information is designed to help governments and businesses protect Australians from the potential use of IEDs in places of mass gathering and to prevent, prepare for and respond to an attack.

"While Australia's threat level remains at probable -- which means credible intelligence, assessed by our security agencies indicates that individuals or groups have developed both the intent and capability to conduct a terrorist attack in Australia - - the incidents overseas highlight the need to be prepared."

The government has assured the public the guidelines were not conceived "in response to any specific threat," instead underscore the government policy that "national security is a priority."

"These guidelines are yet another way that the government is working with the private sector to ensure Australians are safe and our efforts are integrated," Keenan said.

"We want to ensure places of mass gatherings are equipped to contribute to the collective national effort to manage any IED threat."