Cadets warned to cover uniforms
Army, navy and air cadets as young as 12 have been warned to cover up their uniforms when travelling to and from organised after-school activities in WA over fears they could become the target of terror attacks.
They have been told to avoid wearing their uniforms in public wherever possible and warned not to their leave hats and other military-style clothing and equipment visible when travelling in their parents' cars or on public transport.
Parents and others dropping children to cadet activities at Australian Defence Force facilities are also facing tougher security checks, including identification checks and random vehicle inspections.
Army and air cadets attending a unit on Wednesday were told of the new security measures, which are similar to those in place for police and members of the armed forces.
The father of one army cadet said it was alarming that the threat of terrorism had touched the life of his teenage son, but he agreed with the instructions passed down to cadet organisations by the ADF.
"It is sad that it has come to this, that kids wearing cadet uniforms to after-school activities now have to cover up because of the threat of terrorism," he said.
"It is a sad indictment, but good on the ADF for trying to make sure no harm will come to these kids."
It is understood there are fears within the military that some of the more mature cadets could be mistaken for serving members of the armed forces.
It is not uncommon for cadets to travel around Perth on buses and trains to attend parades and other events.
Police in NSW are investigating an attack on an ADF officer in full uniform outside his home in Sydney's west early yesterday.
The officer told police the men who assaulted him were of Middle-Eastern appearance.
Young people can join the cadets from age 12 to 18. The army, air and navy cadets are supported and sponsored by the relevant arms of the ADF but cadets are not members of the armed forces.
There are about 25,000 cadets, officers and instructors in Australia spread across more than 400 units, including 63 in WA, according to the ADF.
More than 14,000 army cadets in 224 units wear military uniforms and are taught skills including the proper use of firearms.
The ADF declined to comment on specific instructions to cadets but said the general advice to anyone wearing a uniform was to exercise caution and common sense.
ADF chief Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin increased security at all bases and establishments last week.
The move was based on Prime Minister Tony Abbott's decision to raise the national terrorism public alert level to high.
Last night, the Senate passed the Federal Government's first tranche of terrorism laws that give Australian spies stronger powers to fight terror threats.
Under an amendment to the new laws by the Palmer United Party, anyone who identifies an ASIO agent could face a decade in prison, a tenfold increase in the existing maximum penalty.
A second suite of anti-terror laws targeting foreign fighters was introduced on Wednesday and will be debated next month.
