Extra funding for counter terrorism




THE 2004-05 Budget features a $54.5 million boost over four years to Defence’s ability to provide counter-terrorism intelligence, develop regional special forces and counter terrorism networks.

Defence will also expand its program of training and exercises with regional partners through an expanded program of joint training and exercises – building greater levels of security cooperation.

In addition, Defence will host senior special forces counter-terrorism commanders and counter-terrorism policy officials from South-East Asian and allied countries for the first Regional Special Forces Counter-Terrorism Conference next month.

Extra money will be used to:

• Employ more analysts and intelligence officers in Defence’s Intelligence and Security Group, increasing its capability to monitor and report on transnational issues including international terrorism.
• Increase staffing levels in the Defence Intelligence Organisation to enhance its operational, analytical and technical capabilities.
• Improve the Defence Signals Directorate’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
• Enhance the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation’s capacity to support domestic counter terrorism forces, law enforcement agencies and emergency response activities through providing essential infrastructure information at critical locations.

This is part of a whole-of-government Critical Infrastructure Protection initiative.

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