Cade Lucas
State Treasurer and Werribee MP Tim Pallas has thanked emergency services for dealing with white powder found in his office on Friday morning.
The powder was discovered at Mr Pallas’s Watton St electoral office shortly before 10 am in what emergency services have described as a ‘malicious hoax’.
It’s the second such incident this week after white powder was sent to Premier Daniel Andrews’ Mulgrave office on Tuesday.
Neither substance is is believed to be hazardous.
Fire Rescue Victoria’s Hazardous Response Crew, along with CFA, police and paramedics responded after a staff member discovered the substance in some mail.
“Somebody opened an envelope and saw white powder” said a CFA member with knowledge of the incident.
After isolating the office, hazmat crews entered and took a sample of the powder, which has yet to be identified, but is not considered dangerous.
“The incident was handled with great professionalism by emergency services – they do a great job for the community” said Mr Pallas who was not in the office at the time.
“My hard-working staff were back in the office within a few hours and it’s business as usual.”
No staff members were harmed and the site was deemed safe and Watton Street reopened to traffic by early afternoon.
