The great so called outrage

"ASIO raids homes in Melbourne on terrorism suspicions"

Reporter: Alison Caldwell TONY EASTLEY: A family of five is the focus of an ASIO investigation which culminated in raids on four homes in Melbourne this week.

Dubbed Operation Pandanus, it's understood the ten-month investigation uncovered evidence that suggested Islamic extremists were planning attacks on prominent landmarks in Melbourne including train stations as well as the Australian Stock Exchange.

Alison Caldwell reports.

ALISON CALDWELL: A spokeswoman for the Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has confirmed that ASIO conducted a series of so-called enter-and-search operations in Melbourne this week.

Just before 8 o'clock yesterday morning, officers from the Australian Federal Police and ASIO went to a house in East Brunswick, just north of the city, where they questioned a Lebanese family of five. It's understood the officers didn't need to use force to enter the home.

The family has been living in the street for over 20 years. Neighbours say it was hard not to notice yesterday's activity.

NEIGHBOUR 1: All I know, I saw police outside. I didn't ask any questions.

NEIGHBOUR 2: I just saw them, all the police out the front when I left for work.

ALISON CALDWELL: Neighbours say cars come and go from the house late into the night.

NEIGHBOUR 2: The cars are rolling up late at night and things like that. But I don't know if there's anything sort of going on there.

I thought they were into cars actually, because they've always got… there's always four or five cars over there, and then people come. So they've got some racket going over there, selling their cars, because there's people coming over looking at cars. So they're obviously selling cars over there. And the father doesn't work.

ALISON CALDWELL: According to the Herald Sun newspaper, four properties were raided. Members of the group have reportedly been discussing terrorist incidents overseas, and talking about wanting to carry out similar attacks in Melbourne.

The newspaper claims members of the Melbourne group have attended remote training camps in country Victoria, and that they have loose links with a radical Islamic group in Sydney.

Yesterday's raids were reportedly designed to disrupt the group before members could carry out their plans.

The new ASIO legislation means the people raided can't discuss what happened, nor can their lawyers confirm or deny anything which may or may not have happened.

But it seems the Attorney-General can. In confirming the raids, Philip Ruddock's spokeswoman said ASIO's powers are used judiciously and only under warrant. She said authorities took appropriate and reasonable action to secure the premises in order to facilitate the execution of the warrant.

TONY EASTLEY: Alison Caldwell reporting there.