http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=175
Christopher Michaelsen
"Sensationalist media coverage of the London bombings and complementary political rhetoric in Canberra are perhaps to blame for the wave of terror paranoia currently sweeping the nation. According to the latest AC Nielsen poll published in the Sydney Morning Herald, 70 per cent of Australians appear to believe that terrorists will strike here within the next two years.
Albeit understandable, these fears are largely unfounded. It is beyond question that an attack cannot be ruled out completely. But the likelihood of a large-scale incident occurring on Australian soil is still rather low.
First, Australia represents a poor strategic choice for both al-Qaida and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). It is unlikely that an attack in Australia is high up on either group�s political agenda. Besides, Australia lacks significant symbolic targets on the ground."
