A security expert says the lives of Australian politicians, staff and the general public could be in danger if Parliament House does not upgrade its "exposed" procedures for dealing with potential chemical attacks.
BuzzFeed News revealed on Wednesday that security officers in Parliament House performed a test on a white powder delivered in an envelope to prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's office last week while wearing $6.94 disposable painting overalls from Bunnings Warehouse.
Instead of following the Parliament House security manual’s “response to white powder detection” and calling the ACT Fire Brigade Hazardous Material team, officers from the Parliament House loading dock were sent up to test the powder.
Security officers, speaking on the condition of anonymity, say they haven't been formally trained on how to operate the mobile testing device used to determine whether powder is hazardous. They say they're under-equipped and not trained to do their job, despite a $126 million security upgrade currently underway in Parliament House.
Following BuzzFeed News' story, sources say senior figures in the Department of Parliamentary Services are scrambling to find the officers who spoke out about their safety concerns. But staff have not been informed of any steps taken to improve procedure.
“Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said at the ASEAN summit that the most important thing for the government to do is protect people from chemical weapons attacks," one officer said. “He's looking after the world but he can’t even look after our own house under his nose in his own backyard.”
The managing director of Powdersafe, Tim Roberts, is an expert in products and safety procedures relating to white powder threats. He says using a handheld device without proper safety equipment is not the proper way to test white powder in Parliament House.
“Because it's the prime minister, the level of concern should be much higher than if it was Joe’s fish and chip shop,” he said.
“If it’s not contained, if it’s in an open environment, then they're all exposed and they’re placing themselves at risk,” Roberts said. “The problem is if it does turn out to be a [dangerous] substance and you are not in appropriate levels of equipment, then you can place yourselves in harm’s way, and others. Because it’s an air conditioned environment … it can quickly spread.”
According to the manufacturer of the disposable overalls worn by Parliament House security officers, the suits are lightweight and "ideal for wearing over clothes to keep them clean and save on laundering costs".
The suits have an elastic hood and reach to wrists and ankles, but aren’t fully enclosed and don’t have breathing apparatus, meaning if the powder being tested is dangerous, those testing it could be exposed.
“If white powder is found in a public area, the person who responds has no training in how to use the machine, and is wearing a disposable suit from Bunnings that won’t protect them from anything,” one officer said. “They’re doing what they’ve been told; they shouldn’t be put in that position.”
Officers told BuzzFeed News they also have no training in what to do if a powder turns out to be dangerous.
“What if you spill it?" one officer asked. "What’s the training? We don’t have any backup for it, if it is bad.”
In contrast, when the ACT Fire Brigade tests white powder, its hazmat team wears personal protection clothing that is regularly tested and maintained, as per the manufacturer’s requirements. This includes a fully sealed suit and breathing apparatus.
Roberts told BuzzFeed News that security management in Parliament House appears to be relying on the fact that the vast majority of white powder threats sent by mail are nonhazardous.
"Parliament House protocol leaves them in an exposed position," he said. "It's a dangerous assumption based on history. But when you're dealing with someone sending something to the prime minister there is always the risk of a dangerous individual."
If white powder is discovered in an envelope, Roberts says the person holding it needs to remain very still and cover their mouth. The area should be evacuated and air conditioning turned off. Any white powder should be contained in a gas-tight environment and then tested in an appropriate way.
“Then see if anybody has handled it, if they are exhibiting any form of reaction. Things like chemical and drug-based substances give an immediate reaction, but worst-case scenario – biological attacks – there wouldn’t be an immediate reaction because they do take time to cause a reaction in the body. That’s always been the problem with anthrax – there won’t be immediate symptoms.”
A number of toxic chemicals with the potential to cause serious harm have made their way into Australia in recent years, and Roberts believes that dealing with white powder threats will be an ongoing challenge.
Labor senator Kimberley Kitching plans to question the Department of Parliamentary Services about the "concerning" security protocol in Senate Estimates next week.
"If it is found to be true that the Department of Parliamentary Services’ security officers wear $6 disposable painting [suits] from Bunnings ... then this is an unacceptable development which places Parliament House building occupants and visitors at serious risk, not to mention the security officers themselves."
Kitching said the government needs to explain whether people who visit and work in Parliament House are safe.
“It’s very disappointing that such a serious incident was apparently handled in such a slipshod way," Greens justice spokesperson Nick McKim told BuzzFeed News.
“People have a right to be safe at work, regardless of whether that’s in a building site, an office, or Parliament House. I would hope that staff are given the appropriate training and equipment to handle incidents like this.”