NCJ Number
198425
Journal
Jane's Intelligence Review Volume: 14 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2002 Pages: 16-19
Date Published
December 2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
In the wake of the Bali bombings, which killed over 100 Australian citizens, Australia's Federal Government is attempting to balance a need to improve domestic security with a commitment to operations in the wider struggle against terrorism overseas.
Abstract
The heightened awareness of the terrorist threat occasioned by the Bali bombings has led to a closer cooperation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO). Further, the ASIO will establish a liaison office in the Australian embassy in Jakarta (Indonesia). Both State and Federal authorities have introduced additional counter-terrorist measures. Increased funding has been provided to the Customs Service to detect fraudulent travel documents, and security has been upgraded at the Australian embassies in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. In New South Wales, where the bulk of Australia's newly arrived migrants live, the State has allocated money for the formation of a Counter-Terrorism Command Unit that will be composed of approximately 70 police and civilian personnel. Funding has also been increased for enhanced bomb disposal capabilities, forensic services, inspection and containment, and the use of specialist chemists. Other Australian States have also upgraded counter-terrorist security measures. The debate has yet to be resolved regarding whether Australia's military should assume a larger role in international efforts to combat terrorism, notably in Afghanistan and potentially in Iraq should a war occur there.