Commonwealth Game 2006

Australia beefs up security for games

Not since the Sydney 2000 Olympics has Australia witnessed such a high profile event as the 2006 Commonwealth games that officially commenced last night in Melbourne's MCG.

Security at the games venues and around the host city has been beefed up in the same fashion as the Sydney Olympics. The heavy security presence includes 13,000 police officers and 2500 defence personnel.

Attorney General Phillip Ruddock said that there was no need for panic and that this was a general precaution. "It's serious, because what we know of our alert level...is that terrorist attacks are feasible but we have no specific information in relation to the planning of a particular act", Mr. Ruddock said.

Some of the powers that will be exercised during the games include shooting down aircraft in "exclusion zones" over areas such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and strict video surveillance around games venues by security and defence personnel. The security alert for Australia has not changed since the September 11 attacks. But officials are counting on the games to go smoothly and without incident.

The games kicked off in grand style with the opening ceremony by Britain's Queen Elizabeth in the presence of distinguished guests and the international presence at the games will only serve to make the games even more attractive. The host city Melbourne is abuzz with activity as the games fever reaches high pitch in this sports crazy city.

Neil Rao