Several individuals in Australia are said to have links with Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda movement as Prime Minister, John Howard, and Parliament consider a range of national security options following the attacks in Bali.
Mr Howard says he will examine whether the defence force should be involved in responding to terrorism threats within Australia.
Such responses have traditionally been a role for civilian police, but Mr Howard says he's willing to reconsider that situation, given heightened concerns after the Bali atrocity.
Local targets
Australia's top spy organisation has confirmed a number of Australians have trained with al Qaeda in Afghanistan or Pakistan.
In it's annual report ASIO reveals there are groups and individuals in Australia who have links with al Qaeda or connected organisations.
It says there have been several visits to Australia by key regional leaders of the Jemaah Islamiah group which is expected to be listed as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations.
Several governments say the South-east Asian Muslim group is suspected of being behind the Bali bombings.
The ASIO report says the level of instruction for the Australians who've trained with al Qaeda ranged from basic military training to advanced terrorist training.
It also notes that Australia's role in the War on Terrorism has raised the national profile and increased the likelihood of Australian interests becoming a terrorist target.
