 |
|
OUTLINE:
CAPT Gerry Christian explains the role of the Joint Offshore
Protection Command.
|
|
Photo:
ABPH Justin Brown
|
By
Graham Davis
A
new multi-agency command responsible for coordinating the protection
of Australia’s offshore assets including oil and gas platforms,
will be formally launched soon.
Called the Joint Offshore Protection Command, the group will initially
comprise Customs and the ADF.
Its principal assets assigned to do its daily business will be
the eight Bay Class Customs patrol boats, the RAN’s Fremantle
Class patrol boats, (to be replaced by the Armidales) and Coastwatch
aircraft.
However, should a more serious threat be detected or terrorist
incident occur, the command can seamlessly call in additional
resources such as larger RAN warships, the RAAF with its Orions
and specialists from the Army.
The Prime Minister first told of the new command in December,
2004.
“The Joint Command will be responsible for the implementation,
coordination, and management of off-shore maritime security,”
Mr Howard said.
“This new single command will link the Defence Force responsibility
with that undertak-en by the Coastwatch Division of the Australian
Customs Service.
“The command will have a joint accountability structure being
responsible to the Chief of the Defence Force for its military
functions and to the Chief Executive Officer of Customs for its
civil functions.
“The Director General of Coastwatch, RADM Russ Crane will be the
inaugural Commander of the command. He will have a dual role as
Director General Coastwatch).
“Additional funding of $5.6 million over four years will be AMSA’s
Rescue Coordination Centre.
“It is focussed on providing search and rescue services and is
doing an excellent job “AMSA’s search and rescue role remains
unaffected by this change.
“Our new command is centred on providing protection to offshore
assets particularly against threats from terrorists, not search
and rescue,” CAPT Christian said.
The Prime Minister, in his December announcement, said the Australian
Government would assume direct responsibility for counter-terrorism
prevention, interdiction and response in all offshore areas of
Australia.
This approach will allow the States and the Northern Territory
to focus on their clear responsibility for initial counter-terrorism
incident response and security arrangements within ports.
“I am writing to the premiers and to the Chief Minister of the
Northern Territory to explain these revised counter-terrorism
arrangements,” Mr Howard said.
The Minister for Customs, Senator Chris Ellison is expected to
formally launch the new command at the National Surveillance Centre
on April 1.
allocated for the establishment of the joint command,” the Prime
Minister said. Since the December announcement the extensive work
has been done to set up the command.
RADM Crane has seconded very experienced RAN naval officer CAPT
Gerry Christian as his Chief of Staff.
CAPT Christian was previously the ADF member on the Taskforce
on Offshore Maritime Security at the Department of Prime Minister
and Cabinet.
“Some members of the new command will operate from Custom’s National
Surveillance Centre in Canberra,” CAPT Christian told Navy News.
“The centre is manned 24 hours a day.”
He said the new command could not be regarded as a Coastguard.
“Australia already has AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre.
“It is focussed on providing search and rescue services and is
doing an excellent job “AMSA’s search and rescue role remains
unaffected by this change.
“Our new command is centred on providing protection to offshore
assets particularly against threats from terrorists, not search
and rescue,” CAPT Christian said.
The Prime Minister, in his December announcement, said the Australian
Government would assume direct responsibility for counter-terrorism
prevention, interdiction and response in all offshore areas of
Australia.
This approach will allow the States and the Northern Territory
to focus on their clear responsibility for initial counter-terrorism
incident response and security arrangements within ports.
“I am writing to the premiers and to the Chief Minister of the
Northern Territory to explain these revised counter-terrorism
arrangements,” Mr Howard said.
The Minister for Customs, Senator Chris Ellison is expected to
formally launch the new command at the National Surveillance Centre
on April 1.
