Attorney-General's
A Safer Australia - continuing to build Australia's Domestic Security Capabilities
The Government is determined to respond in a comprehensive way to the threat of terrorist acts. Last Budget the Government announced measures worth over $1.3 billion to upgrade Australia's domestic security, concentrating on aviation security, the identification of security threats, and increased capacity to respond to security threats. Additional funding of $103 million was announced at MYEFO 2002-03 following the Bali bombings.
Following further assessment of the extant risks and opportunities, the Government is implementing an additional package of measures totalling $411 million over five years (2002-03 to 2006-07) to enhance Australia's domestic security arrangements. Government funding of $351 million will be supplemented by $60 million in cost recovery measures. This brings the total spent on domestic security since the events of 11 September 2001 to more than $1.8 billion.
The physical security of high-risk targets such as Parliament House, defence facilities and the Lucas Heights reactor are to be strengthened. Key security communications systems such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's secure communications network (SATIN) and the information exchange system for Australian law enforcement agencies (ASNET) will be upgraded.
The guarding of holders of public office, embassies, and visiting dignitaries will be improved. Australia's security organisations will be better resourced to sustain and enhance their capacity to respond to terrorist threats. Shipping containers are to be more intensively examined using state of the art x-ray technology, and their national and international movements will be monitored to allow suspect containers to be more easily located. New technologies for biometric identifiers on passports will be further developed and tested as possible future ways to help ensure that passports more securely establish the identity of those presenting themselves at entry points.
In addition, measures are being taken under the Defence portfolio that will contribute to enhancing domestic security and expanding counter-terrorist capability (see the measure titled Special Operations Command in the Defence portfolio).
Table 4: A Safer Australia: Summary of measures
Table 4: A Safer Australia: Summary of measures (continued)
Table 4: A Safer Australia: Summary of measures (continued)
Table 4: A Safer Australia: Summary of measures (continued)
- This item represents part of the measure Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs - review of funding arrangements ($97.8 million in 2003-04) that relates to domestic security. Amounts in the forward years are subject to a review.
- Total does not include expenditure of $35.8 million in 2002-03.
- Total does not include net additional expenditure of $28.7 million in 2002-03.
A Safer Australia - upgrade of the Australian Secure Network communications infrastructure
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Attorney-General's Department | 9.6 | 3.0 | 3.1 | 3.2 |
The Government will provide additional funding of $18.9 million to the Attorney-General's Department to upgrade the Australian Secure Network (ASNET) communications infrastructure. The additional funding reflects the need to upgrade and provide additional ASNET terminals to meet growth in demand, and to fund increased bandwidth from 2003-04 to better link State and Commonwealth agencies for counter-terrorism operations and dignitary protection.
ASNET is a secure communications network that links State and Commonwealth agencies.
A Safer Australia - increased use of x-ray facilities for shipping container inspections
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Australian Customs Service | 16.3 | 16.3 | 16.3 | - |
The Government will provide additional funding of $56 million (including $7.1 million in 2002-03) to the Australian Customs Service to fund logistics costs associated with increased presentation and examination of cargo at container x-ray facilities.
See also the related revenue measure titled A Safer Australia - cost recovery for x-ray facilities for shipping container inspections in the Attorney-General's portfolio.
A Safer Australia - enhanced security for the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
The Government will provide additional funding of $1.7 million per annum to enhance security at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre and the Replacement Research Reactor construction site.
See also the related capital measure titled A Safer Australia - enhanced security for the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation in the Education, Science and Training portfolio.
A Safer Australia - expansion of Australia's secure diplomatic communication network
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | -0.5 | - | - | - |
As part of the Government's domestic security package, the Government will provide $9.4 million in 2003-04 ($9.9 million capital funding offset by a $0.5 million expense saving) to fund infrastructure costs for an expansion of Australia's secure diplomatic communications network to cover an additional 23 locations (to a total of 97 locations) in Australia and overseas. The additional locations are in Australia, the Pacific, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The Secure Australian Telecommunications and Information Network supports secure messaging, office automation and network services between Australia (covering 15 Commonwealth agencies) and Australian Government posts overseas.
See also the related capital measure titled A Safer Australia - expansion of Australia's secure diplomatic communications network in the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.
A Safer Australia - enhanced Parliament House security
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of the House of Representatives | 3.4 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.2 |
| Department of the Senate | 3.4 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.2 |
Additional funding of $25.5 million over four years will be provided to upgrade the physical security, security staffing level, and to enhance security-related management and professional capacity of security staff at Parliament House.
See also the related expense measure titled Parliamentary Departments - efficiency measures in the Parliamentary portfolio.
A Safer Australia - enhanced screening at Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands airports
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Transport and Regional Services | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
The Government will provide funding of $1.7 million over four years for passenger and checked baggage screening at the Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airports.
This measure will improve aviation security at these two Commonwealth-owned airports through the introduction of explosive trace detection and threat image projection equipment for screening passengers. One hundred per cent international checked baggage screening will also be introduced at the Christmas Island Airport.
See also the related capital measure titled A Safer Australia - enhanced screening at Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands airports in the Transport and Regional Services portfolio.
A Safer Australia - aviation security information management system
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Transport and Regional Services | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
The Government will provide funding of $1.1 million over four years for the installation and management of an aviation security information management system. The information management system will improve the processing and analysis of data collected at higher security levels, and the dissemination of intelligence to stakeholders.
See also the related capital measure titled A Safer Australia - aviation security information management system in the the Transport and Regional Services portfolio.
A Safer Australia - enhanced maritime security arrangements
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Transport and Regional Services | 4.9 | 7.3 | - | - |
The Government will provide $12.2 million over two years to implement the International Maritime Organisation's new International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. Implementation of the Security Code will enhance maritime security arrangements with new internationally agreed standards. Funding will be provided for the establishment of a regulatory framework to support the Security Code and its implementation.
See also the related capital measure titled A Safer Australia - enhanced maritime security arrangements in the Transport and Regional Services portfolio.
A Safer Australia - Attorney-General's Department and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation - enhanced counter-terrorism training
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Australian Security Intelligence Organisation | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| Attorney-General's Department | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 |
Additional funding of $15.6 million will be provided to the Attorney-General's Department and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation to upgrade the National Counter-Terrorism Committee Annual Counter-Terrorism Exercise Regime. The funding will enable more rapid and targeted responses to crisis and consequence management.
A Safer Australia - enhanced Diplomatic and Australian Office Holder guarding services
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Attorney-General's Department | 20.7 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide additional funding of $20.7 million in 2003-04 to maintain Diplomatic and Australian Office Holder guarding at the current increased level.
A Safer Australia - armoured VIP limousines
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Attorney-General's Department | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
The Government will provide funding of $1 million in 2003-04 and funding of
$1.1 million per year from 2004-05 to enable maintenance and the staggered replacement of the Government's fleet of armoured limousines.
A Safer Australia - continued funding for enhanced protective security
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Defence | 34.6 | 36.1 | - | - |
In light of the heightened state of alert associated with the War Against Terrorism, the Government has provided $70.7 million over two years to continue to support enhanced security measures for Defence personnel and facilities, including increased guarding, patrolling and protective searches. Funding of $27 million was provided in 2001-02 and $41.1 million was provided in 2002-03 for expenditure in those years.
A Safer Australia - continuous operation of the national crisis management Watch Office
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Attorney-General's Department | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
The Government will provide funding of $5.1 million over four years to the Attorney-General's Department to allow the Watch Office to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Watch Office is dedicated to security coordination and response management, and performs a vital role in Australia's national crisis management arrangements in the event of terrorist threat or incidence. The Office forms the nexus of an established nation-wide coordination and information-sharing network incorporating Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies, including all police services. It provides a critical central communication and coordination point in the national crises management arrangements.
A Safer Australia - enhanced checking of aviation security identification card holders
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Australian Security Intelligence Organisation | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Australian Federal Police | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
The Government will provide $3.9 million over four years to further strengthen security at airports by conducting additional background checks on staff who require an aviation security identification card. The checks will seek to ascertain if the applicants for and holders of cards are not involved in politically-motivated violence. This service will be in addition to the current mandatory security checking undertaken for all card holders, and will be fully cost recovered.
See also the related revenue measure titled A Safer Australia - cost recovery for enhanced checking of aviation security identification card holders and capital measure titled
A Safer Australia - enhanced checking of aviation security identification card holders in the Attorney-General's portfolio.
A Safer Australia - enhancing the counter-terrorism capabilities of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Australian Security Intelligence Organisation | 3.6 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 2.8 |
Additional funding of $11.7 million over four years will be provided to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation to enhance Australia's counter-terrorism capabilities.
See also the related capital measure A Safer Australia - enhancing the counter-terrorism capabilities of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation in the Attorney-General's portfolio.
A Safer Australia - additional funding for financial monitoring by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre | 3.1 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $3.1 million in 2003-04 to fund additional staff to be employed across the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre's (AUSTRAC) core business areas, including international work focusing on financing of terrorism, money laundering and transnational organised crime.
AUSTRAC's workload has increased over the past three years due to increases in the number of government agencies requiring data and support, the number of reporting cash dealers and the volume of transaction reports.
AUSTRAC is implementing a cost recovery model to take effect before the 2004-05 Budget, enabling the continuation of increased levels of service.
See also the related capital measure titled A Safer Australia - additional funding for financial monitoring by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre in the Attorney-General's portfolio.
A Safer Australia - National Security Hotline
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Attorney-General's Department | 6.0 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $11.2 million over two years (including $5.2 million in 2002-03) to continue the operations of the National Security Hotline.
The Hotline was established in December 2002 to complement the Government's national security awareness campaign. People can call the Hotline 24 hours a day to report activities that they feel may be related to terrorism, or to seek advice on terrorism awareness.
A Safer Australia - measures to further enhance the response to terrorism
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Australian Secret Intelligence Service | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 |
The Government will provide additional funding of $19.0 million over four years to the Australian Secret Intelligence Service to further enhance Australia's counter-terrorism capabilities.
See also the related capital measure titled A Safer Australia - measures to further enhance the response to terrorism in the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.
A Safer Australia - enhanced travel advice dissemination
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.5 |
The Government will provide the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade additional funding of $9.7 million from 2003-04 to 2006-07 to enhance travel advice dissemination. The funding will provide for new initiatives previously announced by the Government on 22 January 2003 to improve Australians' awareness of travel advice, safety and security issues associated with overseas travel.
The initiatives will focus on three areas of information sharing: promotion, dissemination and cooperation and will include a public information campaign, the introduction of touch screen travel advice kiosks in all Australian passport offices, and increased cooperation with the Australian travel industry.
A Safer Australia - research into passport biometrics
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | 1.9 | - | - | - |
As part of the Government's A Safer Australia package, the Government will provide funding of $3.0 million in 2003-04 (including $1.1 million capital funding) for the continuation of research into a biometric identifier for the Australian passport. The introduction of a biometric identifier has the capacity to strengthen border protection through more robust identity verification processes and to reduce the risk of passport fraud.
See also the related capital measure titled A Safer Australia - research into passport biometrics in the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.
A Safer Australia - enhanced border protection processing systems
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs | 4.9 | 1.6 | - | - |
The Government will provide $6.5 million over two years to enhance and develop systems to more accurately verify the identity of persons of concern, such as terrorists and other international criminals, thereby reducing the risk of unlawful entry to Australia. The measure includes funding for scoping the development and implementation of a common information technology platform to integrate Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs' operations both within and outside Australia.
See also the related capital measure titled A Safer Australia - enhanced border protection processing systems in the Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs portfolio.
A Safer Australia - enhanced analytical and technological capabilities for the Office of National Assessments
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Office of National Assessments | 3.2 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 |
The Government will provide additional funding of $10.1 million over four years for the Office of National Assessments to enhance its analytical and assessment capacity on the international dimensions of terrorism, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Additional funding will assist the Office to work effectively on terrorism and other long-term trends in global affairs including through a dedicated liaison capacity with counterpart agencies in Washington and London.
A Safer Australia - national security public awareness campaign
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | - | - | - | - |
The Government has provided funding of $21 million in 2002-03 for a public education campaign that provided the Australian people with information on national security. The campaign included television, radio, and press advertising, including announcements in 31 languages. A National Security Hotline has been established as a single point of contact for national security information.