Holsworthy review `will take one month`

A review of security at Sydney's Holsworthy army base is likely to be completed
within a month, a Defence Department spokesman says.
The federal government ordered the review after members of an alleged terrorist cell
plotted to storm the base, southwest of Sydney, shooting as many troops as possible
before being killed.
Five men have been charged with terrorism-related offences after raids on 19
properties in Melbourne and Victoria's southwest on Tuesday.
Security at the barracks came under scrutiny the following day, when a reporter and
photographer from The Daily Telegraph were arrested after passing through security
and taking photos.
They have been charged with unlawfully sketching, drawing, photographing or painting
fortifications.
Defence spokesman Rob Olney said the newspaper clearly had an agenda and the
journalist had incorrectly reported he gained access to the actual army base.
Mr Olney said Tim Vollmer, 26, and his colleague, 38, had driven into a public area,
which includes a golf course and Steele Barracks.
"(The journalists) were detained for taking unauthorised photographs of defence
buildings and personnel," Mr Olney said in a pre-recorded statement.
"While the golf course and Steele Barracks is open to the public on the provision of
a current driver's licence or other photo identification, that doesn't mean there is
a general public access to other military facilities."
Mr Olney said security at the base was adequate but the government had ordered a
review in light of the alleged terror plot.
"The review is being conducted by the defence's chief security officer with support
from across defence and the attorney-general's department," he said.
"It is hoped the initial assessment will be finalised by the end of this month."
Existing security levels would remain in place. The security situation would
continue to be reviewed as part of the defence's normal practices.
The federal government dismissed the intrusion of the reporter and photographer as
"not a real threat".
Asked about his concerns regarding the issue, parliamentary secretary for defence
Mike Kelly said the two were "messing around with our defence personnel and causing
an unnecessary waste of time".
The Australia Defence Association, a military think-tank, labelled the actions a stunt.
"It was a desire for a front-page splash and took no account of the national
interest or security of people on the base," association director Neil James said.
Vollmer and his colleague are to appear in Liverpool Local Court on September 25.