Suspicious package sent to Australian parliament

CANBERRA - A suspicious package addressed to Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer forced the closure of the parliament house loading dock on Friday and the decontamination of parliamentary staff, police said.

The package comes two days after a mysterious powder was sent to the Indonesian embassy in Canberra. The embassy scare follows a backlash over the 20-year sentencing of an Australian woman in Bali for smuggling drugs.

The embassy was shut and staff decontaminated while authorities tried to determine if the powder contained a dangerous biological agent, such as a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness. After tests, police now believe the embassy powder is harmless.

Police would not confirm whether the package addressed to Downer also contained a powder, but said some staff were being decontaminated.

"Shortly before 10am, a suspicious package was received," said Australian Federal Police sergeant Stephen Cooke.

"My information is that it was addressed to Alexander Downer," Cooke told reporters.

A Reuters correspondent in parliament said the underground loading dock, which receives mail at the building, had been closed. The loading dock is in a separate building to the actual parliament, but is part of the parliamentary complex.

The parliament has not been evacuated and Prime Minister John Howard remained inside the building holding meetings.

- REUTERS