An additional $1.8 billion over six years from 2001-02 to safeguard our communities

Enhancing Australian security

Safeguarding our communities from terrorist threats is a top priority. That is why the Government is allocating significant new funding to domestic security initiatives to protect critical infrastructure and enhance our intelligence and protective security services.

Safeguarding our community

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11 and the Bali bombings, the Government provided additional funding of $1.4 billion over the five years from 2001-02 to upgrade security within Australia.

This included enhancements to Australia's aviation security arrangements, as well as additional funding for our defence, intelligence and law enforcement agencies to ensure they are well placed to respond to threats to our security.

This Budget builds on these strong foundations by implementing the A Safer Australia package, which provides $411 million over the five years from 2002-03 to further enhance Australia's existing domestic security arrangements.

Critical security infrastructure at our ports, airports and nuclear research facilities will be upgraded at a cost of $148 million. Shipping containers will be examined using
state–of–the–art x–ray technology, and their movements monitored to allow suspect containers to be easily located.

The Government has committed $152 million to enhance the capacity of Australia's intelligence agencies to respond to security threats. A National Security Hotline has been established to allow citizens to report suspicious activity and our border processing systems will be enhanced to better identify persons of concern, thereby reducing the risk of their unlawful entry to Australia.

A further $111 million will upgrade our protective security services. Guarding arrangements for VIPs and embassies will be enhanced and funding will be provided for enhanced security for defence personnel and facilities.