Wednesday, July 12 2006 14:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Melbourne: Condemning the serial blasts in Mumbai trains which left 190 people dead as an attack on the democratic way of life, Australian Prime Minister John Howard today (July 12,2006) said it was a reminder that no country was immune from the possibility of terror strikes.

"This terrorist attack is an attack on the democratic way of life," Howard said.

"Because it has occurred in India, it is a reminder that no country is immune from the possibility of terrorist attacks," the Prime Minister told an audience at the Blacktown Workers Club in Sydney.

The Australian premier said he sent sympathies and support, compassion and expression of concern to the Indian people and to the Indian Government.

Howard, who visited Mumbai in March, said the attack was a reminder that Australians could not afford to be complacent about the threat of terrorism.

"We can't afford to assume that it will never happen in our country," he said.

Reacting to the incident, opposition party leader Kim Beazley said the attacks were a warning to Australia to tighten security on its railway network.

Beazley, who expressed 'deepest sympathy' to the Indian people and government, urged Howard to immediately introduce security measures promised after last year's London blasts.

"We see the horrible events in London a year ago. We see these horrible events in Mumbai now. We note that apparently a similar attack on the transport system in New York has been avoided by timely arrests," he said.

"We must sustain a practical effort to protect our people in this environment and 12 months' delay is not good enough in getting these sorts of measures in place," he said.