17 April 2008
- Submission to the Australia 2020 Summit
- AHSRC News
- Australasian Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Network to be formed
- Survey released on the views of security professionals
- Street Review Released
- Proposal for Ban on Imports of Lasers
- Customs Officers Given Greater Powers
- ‘SMART SPARX’ Community Fire Safety Education Kit Launched
- Clarke Inquiry Into The Haneef Case
- Global Cyber-Terror Exercise to Test Government and Industry
- Participants for 2020 Announced for the stream “Australia’s future security and prosperity in a rapidly changing region and world”
- Customs finds deadly fibreglass knives
- Cairns a regional leader in border security training
- New Academic Centers of Excellence
- Events
- Publications
Below is Engineers Australia’s submission to the 2020 Summit for the stream “Australia’s future security and prosperity in a rapidly changing region and world”. Their key questions was “How Australia best protects its national security interests in the face of an increasingly complex threat spectrum, including terrorism, bio-security and other threats to human security – as well as the adequacy of existing institutional arrangements for dealing with the threat spectrum into the future?”.
The last 20 years in particular has seen a broadening of the national security environment which can be characteristed by:
- An increase in the sources of recognised national security threats. These now include terrorism, climate change and energy continuity.
- An increase in threats recognised as domestic security threats. These include a loss of critical infrastructure, home-grown terrorism and civil disorder.
- Globalisation resulting in threats frequently having international and domestic consequences in the immediate and long-term.
However today’s national security response does not generally reflect these characteristics. The current response is driven by organisational structures and policy approaches which evolved out of a period when security threats were more compartmentalized and handled by small groups of government departments, and the policy response levers was controlled by the Australian Government alone.
New threats are not well addressed because they invariably require not only a whole of government response but also a whole of nation response. The existing government-centric approach means that little mitigation occurs because no one agency is solely responsible for the threat. Consequently the response is normally reactive and inefficient. Existing national security mechanisms have difficulty dealing with new security threats as there is confusion about if a threat is actually a national security threats . For example, under what circumstances, if any, does an influenza pandemic, an equine flu outbreak or an economic shock caused by an international biological disaster become a national security threat.
One key step to responding to this new environment is to develop a national security strategy that includes a framework to ensure a whole-of-nation response. Key issues that the strategy needs to address are:
- Defining how, when and why a threat becomes a national security threat.
- Balancing the attention given to different physical, social, economic and environmental threats based on their potential impact on integrity of the Australian state, its interests and the its people.
- Ensuring that significant effort is placed on the identification of threat and its mitigation, as well as the response and recovery effort if the threat materializes.
- Articulation of the need for a coordinated whole-of-nation response to security threats which is based around engaging the three levels of government, private sector, NGOs and the community in national security.
- Increasing the ability to prevent instability, and to stabilise and reconstruct fragile states by the Australian Defence Forces, police forces, private sector and NGOs.
- Brett Peppler has been appointed Research Associate at the Australian Homeland Security Research Centre. He is the Managing Director of Intelligent Futures Pty Ltd.
- Brett Peppler, will be speaking on Assessing the Terrorist Threat to Regional Oil and Gas Infrastructure at the Infrastructure Security for Oil and Gas 2008 Conference, 27-28 May, Jakarta, Indonesia.
On 29 April 2008, the foundation meeting of the Australasian Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Network will occur. This meeting is to identify the focus and the activities of the Network.
Improving Australia’s CIMIC response is a key initiative of the new Australian Government. This year a whole-of-government Asia Pacific Centre for Civil-Military Cooperation will be established to focus on improved coordination and cooperation between government agencies and between government and the private sector. The Centre will develop a whole-of-government approach to peace, reconstruction, stabilisation and disaster-relief missions.
During this year, it will be important that the views of CIMIC stakeholders are identified and these are reflected in the activities of the CIMIC Centre. These stakeholders include:
- military
- government organisations including police, aid and education agencies
- non-governmental organisations including humanitarian groups, health agencies and professional associations
- private sector organisations including engineering, logistics and private security companies
Consequently a CIMIC Network is being initially sponsored by the Australian Homeland Security Research Centre, and its aim is to complement the work of the CIMIC Centre.
| Draft aims of the Network |
Proposed activities |
Provide a forum to share information on effective strategies, best practices, tools, and existing CIMIC projects |
- Public activities
- Restricted briefings
- Online forum
- Site tours
- Annual conference
|
Develop extensive personal networks across organisations and functions involved in CIMIC activities |
- Networking functions
- Desk-top exercises
|
Identify policy, practice and research needs associated with enhancing CIMIC activities from a whole of nation perspective |
- Identification of gaps and options
- Working groups to identify gaps and options
- Development of agendas on police, practice and research
|
Membership will be free and open to those who wish to improve CIMIC activities. The network’s website is http://www.cimic.org.au.
Meeting details
Time: 4:00-6:00
Date: 29 April 2008
Cost: Free
Location: International Affairs Conference Centre, Level 2, 32 Thesiger Cct, Deakin
Anyone is welcome to register: Email events@homelandsecurity.org.au or call 02 6161 5143
The Interim Security Professionals Taskforce has released a report on the views of Australian Security Professionals.
The survey produced the following key findings:
- The average number of States in which a security professional works is 3.5.
- About 40% of security professionals have a bachelor degree or above in security-specific areas.
- Most security professionals have a higher level of formal education in non-security-related areas of study than in security related areas.
- Only 17% of security professionals agreed that most clients have the ability to “adequately select, brief and evaluate security professionals”.
- 40% of security professionals believe that most clients do not “select an appropriate security professional for their task”.
- 95% of security professionals believe there is a need to improve the status of security professionals in the eyes of the public and clients.
- The three key actions to raise the status of security professionals in declining order of importance are:
- National security licensing system reflecting competency of security professionals
- Establishing minimum education and experience requirements for each specialisation
- Creation and enforcement of codes of practice and ethics
- About 22% of security professionals consider that their licensing and registration system does not meet their client’s or employer’s need.
- Over 75% of security professionals consider that their licensing and registration regime does not reflect the competence of the holder.
- More than 55% of security professionals consider that the licensing and registration regimes were not enforced to prevent people from working without a licence.
- About 30% of security professionals believed that their education or training was adequate for their area of specialisation.
The survey is available from www.securityprofessionals.org.au.
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The Australian Homeland Security Research Centre will host the Pandemic Summit at The Marque Hotel and the History Symposium at University House at The Australian National University in Canberra.
For further information here. |
Street Review Released
The findings of an internal review on the way in which the AFP works with its partner agencies on counter-terrorism investigations have been released.
The Street Review: A review of interoperability between the AFP and its national security partners, was conducted by former NSW Chief Justice Sir Laurence Street, former Director of the Defence Signals Directorate Martin Brady and former NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney.
Commissioner Keelty said the review committee had delivered 10 recommendations that would significantly improve the way joint agency counter-terrorism investigations were managed in the future.
These recommendations cover the four areas of operational decision-making processes:
- joint taskforce arrangements,
- information sharing, and training and
- education
Commissioner Keetly has said that the AFP accepts all 10 recommendations and will work closely with the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and other national security agencies to ensure the recommendations are implemented as soon as possible.”
ASIO officers will soon be attached to the Melbourne and Sydney Joint Counter-Terrorism Teams (JCTT), ensuring better communication between the agencies at an operational level.
In relation to the other recommendations:
- The AFP will develop a joint operations protocol with ASIO,
- Guidelines will be drafted on the role of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions in counter-terrorism investigations; and
- A committee comprising the AFP Commissioner, the Director-General of Security and Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions will be established to ensure national security issues, strategic priorities and enhanced interoperability are reviewed on a regular basis.
Recommendations relating to enhanced information technology systems and information sharing will be managed in stages over the coming months.
- Agencies and departments which contributed to the review included:
- ASIO,
- the Office of the CDPP,
- the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet,
- Australian Attorney-General's Department,
- the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security,
- NSW Police Force, NSW Crime Commission,
- Victoria Police,
- Queensland Police Service,
- the Royal Canadian Mounted Police,
- US Federal Bureau of Investigation,
- United Kingdom Metropolitan Police Service
- New Zealand Police.
View the complete Street Review here.
The Government has indicated it will move to ban the importation of laser pointers following a high level meeting in Canberra this week.
A new regime is to be introduced to restrict certain laser items which could operate in the same way as the existing controls on firearms and weapons.
It was mentioned by that government that recent attacks on pilots have highlighted the seriousness of the problem, and it’s destructive, dangerous nature, which needs a coordinated response across Australia.
A five point plan has been put in place which will:
- Restrict the sale and importation of some laser pointers
- Crack down on possession by working the states to introduce uniform laws
- Provide training for pilots on risk avoidance
- Develop an education campaign
- Continue to monitor the risk of the improper use of laser pointers.
It was announced by the government that the plan was developed after receiving a report from Customs which recommended a ban.
Customs has also advised that border control is less effective unless the States and Territories have the same laws regarding possession of lasers.
New laws have been introduced into Federal Parliament which will strengthen border enforcement powers for Customs officers.
Under current laws, Customs officers can board a ship or aircraft to search for weapons, drugs and other prohibited items that may be concealed on board. If evidence such as drugs are found, officers can arrest the people on board, but they haven’t had the power to immediately search anyone on board a suspicious vessel or aircraft.
“The new powers are expected to significantly reduce the threat of harm to officers while helping prevent escapes and the destruction or disposal of evidence.
Another amendment to the Customs Amendment (Strengthening Border Controls) Bill 2008 will also allow Customs to set up public surrender bins at airports so non- dangerous items can be disposed of easily, such as:
- Electric fly swatters
- Toys and other products made from real dog or cat fur
- Toys or cosmetics containing excessive amounts of lead
Items deemed a high risk to the community won’t be allowed in the bins including firearms, drugs and certain therapeutic items such as human growth hormones and steroids.
It is expected to give customs officers greater flexibility in dealing with prohibited imports that are low value and low risk “It will end unnecessary paperwork that has to be done for these types of low risk items and free them up to investigate more dangerous imports.
The ‘Smart Sparx’ Community Fire Safety Education Kit has been released.
Federal MP Damien Hale has commented that in all communities, there are vulnerable groups and individuals for which more detailed planning is required to assure their safety.and it is expected that the project developed will result in a reduction in the number of Territory children who are hospitalised with burn injuries each year.”
The ‘Smart Sparx’ kit is aimed at primary school students and includes classroom activities and homework designed to involve parents.
Former NSW Supreme Court Judge the Hon. John Clarke QC will head a judicial inquiry into the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef.
Mr Clarke was a judge of the NSW Supreme Court from 1983 to 1997 and sat on the NSW Court of Appeal from 1987 to 1997. Mr Clarke has also had a distinguished career as a barrister, mediator and arbitrator.
The Clarke Inquiry will enable interested parties to have their say, establish the facts of the case and make appropriate recommendations to ensure Australia’s security agencies are functioning as best as they possibly can – individually and collectively.
The Clarke inquiry will examine and report on:
- the arrest, detention, charging, prosecution and release of Dr Haneef, the cancellation of his Australian visa and the issuing of a criminal justice stay certificate;
- the administrative and operational procedures and arrangements of the Commonwealth and its agencies relevant to these matters;
- the effectiveness of cooperation, coordination and interoperability between Commonwealth agencies and with state law enforcement agencies relating to these matters; and
- having regard to (a), (b) and (c), any deficiencies in the relevant laws or administrative and operational procedures and arrangements of the Commonwealth and its agencies, including agency and interagency communication protocols and guidelines.
Mr Clarke has indicated he will conduct the inquiry in a way which ensures the protection of national security information, ongoing investigations and upcoming overseas trials. Mr Clarke has also indicated he will ensure there are opportunities for public input into the Inquiry, including by advertising for submissions and conducting public forums on the operation of our counter-terrorism laws and arrangements.
The Clarke Inquiry will present a public report which, if necessary, may be supplemented by a confidential report.
The Clarke Inquiry will be asked to report by 30 September 2008.
The government has joined forces with its international allies and private industry to test Australia’s response to a cyber terror attack.
Led by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Cyber Storm II builds on the first cyber storm exercise held in February 2006 and involved the government and business sectors of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The international exercise involved simulated cyber and physical attacks targeting critical infrastructure, including the water, energy, IT, communications, banking and finance industries.
The exercise was useful in identifying areas in Australia’s national security architecture that may require further development.
Cyber Storm II was run throughout March and involved Australian Government agencies, the South Australian Government, the West Australian Government and over 50 private industry organisations.
Australia's Future Security and Prosperity in a rapidly changing region and world
Dr Susan Jennifer Delyse Boyd WA
Mr Gregory Rolph Copley WA
Dr Jane Patricia Cunneen WA
Mr John Gibson WA
Professor David Hill WA
Dr Gary Gordon Sigley WA
Ms Robyn Slarke WA
Associate Professor Samina Yasmeen WA
Mr Waleed Aly VIC
Dr Sarah Bekessy VIC
Associate Professor Santina Bertone VIC
Ms Denise Boyd VIC
Ms Susan Margaret Brennan VIC
Ms Sharan Burrow VIC
Mr Damian Burton VIC
Ms Melissa Conley Tyler VIC
Dr Simon David Feeny VIC
Ms Dimity Fifer VIC
Ms Julia Anne Fraser VIC
Ms Felicity Jane Hill VIC
Ms Phoebe Cecile Knowles VIC
Ms Serena Lilywhite VIC
Professor Tim Lindsey VIC
Associate Professor Jude McCulloch VIC
Ms Jennifer Margaret McGregor VIC
Mr Alexander Callum McLeod VIC
Ms Fiona Margaret McLeod SC VIC
Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon VIC
Associate Professor Sharon Pickering VIC
Mr Paul Andrew Godwin Ramadge VIC
Mr John Francis Richardson VIC
Mr Phil Scanlan VIC
Mr Gregory Sheridan VIC
Ms Deborah Rosalyn Storie VIC
Associate Professor David Peter Wright-Neville VIC
Mr Christian David Bennett SA
Mr Andrew O'Neil SA
Dr Walter Samuel Grono Bateman QLD
Mr Abraham Steven Gubler QLD
Dr Bronwyn Delveen Harch QLD
Dr Chris Theng Hong Kang QLD
Ms Eliza Matthews QLD
Mr Gregory Williams Nelson QLD
Mr Garry Llewellyn Redlich QLD
Professor Swee-Hin Toh QLD
Ms Caroline Emma Morrison NT
Ms Tamerlaine Beasley NSW
Mr Bill Bowtell NSW
General Peter Cosgrove AO MC (ret) NSW
Mr Paddy Crumlin NSW
Dr James Barton Curran NSW
Ms Geraldine Doogue NSW
Professor Alan Dupont NSW
Ms Katherine Fallah NSW
Mr Alan Gyngell NSW
Ms Elena Jeffreys NSW
Professor Alison Jones NSW
Ms Martine Letts NSW
Mr Alastair Fraser MacGibbon NSW
Mr Huw McKay NSW
Ms Louisa Jane Minney NSW
Ms Maha Najjarine NSW
Ms Mahboba Rawi NSW
Mr Neville Joseph Roach NSW
Mr Michael Roux NSW
Ms Leigh Peta Sales NSW
Dr Ben Saul NSW
Mrs Jillian Sylvia Shoebridge NSW
Ms Nola Watson NSW
Mr Kevin Wei-Cher Yeoh NSW
Professor Kent Anderson ACT
Ms Kate Barelle ACT
MS Danielle Louise Chubb ACT
Ms Aguil De Chut Deng ACT
Ms Sara Louise Goldsworthy ACT
Dr Jane Elizabeth Golley ACT
Dr Anna Hutchens ACT
Ms Antonia Krystina Kaucz ACT
Professor Andrew MacIntyre ACT
Mr Ben McDevitt ACT
Ms Louise Michelle Merrington ACT
Dr Katherine Morton ACT
Dr Dave Peebles ACT
Dr George Quinn ACT
Professor Benjamin Reilly ACT
Professor Amin Saikal ACT
Mr Jason Yat-Sen Li
Professor Lorraine Mazzerolle
Mr Warren Mundine
Customs in Sydney is investigating a dangerous new threat posed by an attempt to smuggle potentially undetectable prohibited weapons into Australia.
Customs officers, checking incoming international mail, have intercepted six military-style knives made out of fibreglass resin.
The knives, together with a slingshot and brace, were in an air mail parcel from the United States, declared as containing clothes and literature, and destined for a Sydney address. Under Customs regulations, these weapons are restricted items and cannot be imported without a permit.
During x-ray screening at customs officers noticed anomalies in images of the parcel. When they examined the contents, they discovered the weapons.
Customs National Manager for Investigations, Richard Janecz commented that similar knives, prohibited without permission in Australia, are offered for sale by American weapons suppliers which describe them as being "practically undetectable to modern security devices”.
Investigations are continuing into the illegal importation. The maximum penalty for this type of offence is a fine of up to $275,000 and/or ten years imprisonment.
Cairns a regional leader in border security training
The Australian Customs Service entry-level program has recently admitted a new group of trainees.
Cairns is the only regional centre in Australia that conducts Customs entry level training and in the last two years more than forty officers have gone through the program.
The 20 new trainees are mainly from Cairns but also come from Brisbane and Darwin.
The group will undertake an extensive 26-week training program covering areas including security, counter terrorism, Customs legislation and powers, passenger assessment, baggage examination, cargo, tariff and trade facilitation.
The latest group of trainees are expected to graduate and begin work at the airport in September.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently announced the selection of 11 universities to serve as important partners for conducting multi-disciplinary research and creating innovative learning environments for critical homeland security missions. These universities will partner to lead one of five new Centers of Excellence and receive a multi-year grant of up to $2 million per year, over a period of four to six years.
The five new Centers of Excellence, located across the country, will study: border security and immigration; explosives detection, mitigation, and response; maritime, island and port security; natural disasters, coastal infrastructure and emergency management; and transportation security.
The Centers of Excellence program is managed by the Science and Technology Directorate's Office of University Programs.
The program takes advantage of the unsurpassed research capabilities and intellectual capital of U.S. colleges and universities to fill knowledge and technology gaps for the department.
By Congressional authorization, each Center will be responsible for conducting multidisciplinary research and developing education initiatives in areas important for homeland security.
For more information on the Centres click here.
The Hon Greg Combet AM MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement will be speaking at the 2008 Defence and National Security Budget Briefing. This forum will identify national security Commonwealth budget trends and capability development processes in defence, counter-terrorism, intelligence and security. The event is appropriate for defence and security industry business development managers and government national security capability development and policy staff. It aims to provide an in depth understanding on topics including the 2007-08 Commonwealth Budget spending on national security, defence and border security, the inferred and stated purchasing trends, and how experts perceive the need and benefits for future governments to develop a national security strategy.
The Budget Briefing will be held on 15 May 2008 at the
International Affairs Conference Centre,
Level 1, 32 Thesiger Court,
Deakin, ACT.
For further information please contact the Australian Homeland Security Research Centre on telephone 02 6161 5143 or email events@homelandsecurity.org.au
Derek Woolner, the co-author of the book The Collins Class Story – Steel, Spies and Spin will give an address on his book which was launched on 8 April 2008. The book is a comprehensive history of the Collins Class Submarine project which was Australia’s largest, most expensive and most controversial defence project ever. Over 130 key players were interviewed in the making of this book. The Australian Defence Department and the Australian Navy allowed full access to their classified archives. This book examines in detail the design, engineering, political and military issues surrounding the project, from its earliest conception, through the various stages of its difficult realisation, to its eventual completion. The authors ascertain just what went wrong and what went right throughout the project’s history, and their conclusions will surprise many.
Free to attend. 1 May, 5:30pm for 6pm start.
Australian International Affairs Building (AIIA),
32 Thesiger Court,
Deakin, ACT.
For more details and to register www.homelandsecurity.org.au/events or 02 6161 5143
A call for papers has been released by the organisers of the international conference on blast, loading and shock. DAPS08 – The Third International Conference on Design and Analysis of Protective Structures and Assets aims to critically review and discuss the state of knowledge in the areas of structural behaviour and the design and construction provisions aimed at protecting structures against blast/shock and impact loadings. It also aims to identify problems for which the current state of knowledge and the design and construction provisions are insufficient, and to enhance ongoing and to enable new multi-national collaborative activities. Original papers are invited to be presented at the Conference.
Held at the University of Melbourne
from 10-12 November 2008.
For further information and to download the Call for Papers, please visit the Conference website at www.daps08.org
The program for the Congress has been released. The Security Professionals' Congress 2008 is the nation’s most important forum for Australia security professionals.
The 2008 Congress will shape the future of Australia’s security professional for the next decade as it will focus on the report of the Interim Security Professionals’ Taskforce. The Taskforce is supported by the Australian Government’s Attorney-General’s Department.
The format of limited plenary addresses and workshops provides opportunities to share professional knowledge, influence the direction of the security professionals and develop significant personnel networks.
Key issues to be discussed are:
- Determining the best options to raise the status and recognition of Security Professionals
- Determining the best minimum standards and competencies for grades of Security Professionals
- Determining the best national registration, accreditation or licensing system for Security Professionals
- Determining the best organisation option to advance Security Professionals
- Determining articulation pathways for Security Professionals
The event will be held on 26-27 May 2008.
Information at http://www.securityprofessionalscongress.org.au/
Workplace Infectious Diseases and Pandemic Summit 12-13 May 2008
The Summit provides the latest information influenza and other infectious diseases in the workplace.
Key focuses include:
• Prevalence and costs to organisations of workplace infectious diseases
• The key preventions and preparations measures
• The obligations for employers and employees
• Views of unions and regulators
• Pandemic preparation work for critical infrastructure
Information: http://www.pandemic.net.au/summit.html
Macquarie University's Centre for Policing Intelligence and Counter Terrorism (PICT) will be running its first Masters-level course "National Security & Counterterrorism" in Canberra later this month.
The course is part of the PICT Masters program, but may also be attended as a stand-alone accredited training course. No prior knowledge of this topic is necessary. Details are available at the PICT website http://www.pict.mq.edu.au/professional.html
The course will be run by Professor Clive Williams MG with specialist visiting lecturers. Similar one-week courses will be run later in the year on "Terrorism Issues" and "Security in Business & Government"
The intensive course will be held at the
Australian Homeland Security and Research Centre, Deakin
28 April - 2 May inclusive.
The course runs each day from 0900-1700
Further information is also available from Clive on 0421 374 277.
The Kokoda Foundation invites young professionals who either work in the national security community or aspire to do so to attend a special careers night.
Find a copy of the invitation here.
Presenters: Professor Ross Babbage and Allan Behm
Join other young strategic leaders to find solutions to the hypothetical Strategy for Defeating a Terrorist Attack. Facilitated by Ross Babbage and Allan Behm, this interactive session aims to elicit discussion and provoke thought on this important contemporary subject.
Ross Babbage is chairman of the Kokoda Foundation, Managing Director of Strategy International (ACT) Pty Ltd, a Council Member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London and an Adjunct Professor in strategic and defence studies at the Australian National University.
Ross has authored several books and written extensively on Asia-Pacific affairs focusing, in particular, on medium- and long-term regional trends.
Allan Behm specialises in political and security risk evaluation. He is a sought-after public speaker and media commentator, writing in Australian and regional newspapers and appearing on Australian and regional television. He teaches advanced strategy and policy courses at several Australian universities and Defence colleges. He also advises several leading international consulting firms, and has a range of clients in both the private and public sectors.
For more than 25 years, Allan has enjoyed close working relationships with the US Defense community (especially in Washington and Honolulu), as well as with the defence forces of New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Japan, the Philippines and China.
Please RSVP to manager@kokodafoundation.org by Monday 21st April for security and catering purposes.
Young Strategic Leaders Forum
APRIL SEMINAR
Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies Theatre
Australian Defence College, Cotter Road, Weston Creek
Thursday 24 April at 5.15pm for 5.30pm
Smart Decision Making for Clean Skies (Modern Air Traffic Management and the Environment)
Organised by UNSW@ADFA and Airservices Australia,
Date: 2-3rd of July, 2008
Organisers: UNSW@ADFA and DSTO
Sponsors: Research Network for a Secure Australia (RNSA), The Defence and Security Applications Research Centre (DSARC) at UNSW@ADFA, The Australian Society for Operation Research (ASOR) – ACT Chapter, DSTO
Operations Research (OR), which is also called Operations Analysis or Management Science, relates to advising executives in Government, Industry and other Enterprises so that better decisions are made. This conference will explore the whole spread of OR within Australia – from mathematical optimisation of well defined problems through to strategic planning where the issues themselves need to be teased out. One of the key aspects of OR is engagement of the client – thus this conference will be presented in terms of what can and can’t be achieved, what techniques can be used, past successes (and failures!).
Speakers come from DSTO, Geoscience Australia, PM&C - NSST, and Academia.
Date: 7-8 July, 2008
More details and information on how to register can be found at http://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/dsarc/conferences/or_conference.html
or contact
Fiona Richmond
Centre Administrator
Defence & Security Applications Research Centre
Canberra ACT 2600
UNSW@ADFA
Phone: (02) 62688 087
Fax: (02) 62688 933
Email: f.richmond@adfa.edu.au
Keynote Speaker: Damian McMeekin Global Head of Security ANZ
As ANZ’s Global Head of Security, Damian McMeekin is responsible across the Group for business continuity, crisis management, physical and personal security and the investigation of fraud, e-crime, money laundering and breaches of integrity. Damian joined ANZ from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in September 2006, with more than 27 years' experience managing regional security issues and political and economic affairs from both international and Australian positions. He was posted to Australian diplomatic missions in Hong Kong, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia and had been seconded to the Attorney-General's Department and the British Ministry of Defence. Damian is a member of Australia’s Critical Infrastructure Advisory Council, chairman of Australia’s Banking & Finance Infrastructure Advisory Group and a member of the International Security Management Association and the International Banking Security Association.
Venue: The Kelvin Club, Melbourne Place, Melbourne, Off Russell St
Date: Thursday 24th April 2008
Cost: $15.00 - Member $30.00 – Non Member
Time: 12:00pm to 1:30pm
RSVP: By 12.00 noon Tuesday 22nd April 2008
The registration form can be found here
Complete the registration form and submit via fax - 03 9347 5575
or e-mail eventadmin@rmia.org.au
The report written by Mr Russell Miller AM has been released for public comment following his review into the relationship between the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Mr Miller undertook the review at the request of the former Transport Minister following comments from the Queensland State Coroner about the observed tensions between the two agencies during the inquest into the tragic accident at Lockhart River in 2005.
While Mr Miller concluded aviation in Australia is safe and that ATSB and CASA are widely considered global leaders in their respective fields, he also found room for improvement in the way they interact.
The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Regional Development and Local Government is now seeking public input on Mr Miller's recommendations.
A number of the recommendations are regarded to be largely administrative in nature and relate to the working arrangements between the agencies. They are expected to be promptly implemented by the agencies.
It is also regarded that other recommendations potentially involve more complex legislative and governance issues.
One group of recommendations relates to refining the protection of information collected during ATSB investigations, namely that in strictly limited circumstances the information should be provided to CASA to facilitate immediate safety action.
Other recommendations go to the governance structure for ATSB.
Comments on the report's recommendations should be provided to the Secretary of my Department by Wednesday, 30 April.
The full report can be accessed here.
The Productivity Commission has released a report commenting on the chemicals and plastics regulation in Australia commenting on its complex and fragmented nature.
The Commission concludes that, while the regulatory framework has been reasonably effective in achieving public health, workplace safety, environment protection and national security goals, there are many inefficiencies.
The report responds to a request by the Australian Government to examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the regulatory framework, and to provide input to a Ministerial Taskforce that has been asked to develop a streamlined system of chemicals and plastics regulation.
The Commission proposes a four tiered model of good practice governance for chemicals and plastics regulations:
- Policy oversight would be provided by ministerial councils comprising the Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers and coordinated through a standing committee on chemicals.
- Hazard and risk assessment should be an Australian Government function undertaken by an independent authority of experts in the appropriate sciences.
- Risk management standards would be set by expert national bodies in such areas as workplace safety, poisons scheduling, and the transport of dangerous goods, within the policy framework agreed at ministerial level by all governments.
- Administration and enforcement would largely be undertaken by the individual governments.
This framework allows all governments to participate in developing and implementing regulatory approaches. While it would achieve a high degree of uniformity, the standards would be flexible enough to accommodate the range of circumstances facing individual governments.
The Commission has released its draft report to encourage further discussion and input before it completes its final report in July 2008.
The report was issued with Draft Research Report on 2008/03/19.
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled a comprehensive pandemic influenza guidance document for states with the first of three live Web seminars designed to assist state officials with planning activities. Guidance materials outline three overarching strategic goals that states plans should address:
- Ensuring continuity of state government and agency operation,
- Protecting citizens
- Maintaining critical infrastructure and key assets.
Several operating objectives are included in each goal. For example, for maintaining critical infrastructure, states are encouraged to build private-public partnerships andincrease protection and information sharing.
A download of the guide can be found here.
US GAO Addresses Disaster Cost Estimates
Public Law No. 110-28 directed GAO to review how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) develops its disaster cost estimates. Accordingly, GAO addressed the following questions:
- What is FEMA's process for developing and refining its cost estimates for any given disaster?
- From 2000 through 2006, how close have cost estimates been to the actual costs for non-catastrophic (i.e., federal costs under $500 million) natural disasters?
- What steps has FEMA taken to learn from past experience and improve its management of disaster-related resources and what other opportunities exist?
GAO made a number of recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security to improve the information provided to decision makers; better inform future estimates, including the ability to incorporate past experience in those estimates; and improve the management of FEMA's disaster-related resources.
A copy of the GAO Report is here.
In 2003, the Federal Protective Service (FPS) was transferred from the General Services Administration (GSA) to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is currently tasked with providing physical security and law enforcement services to about 8,800 facilities owned or leased by GSA. To accomplish its mission, FPS currently has a workforce of about 1,100 employees and about 15,000 contract guards located throughout the country.
GAO was asked to provide information and analysis on:
(1) The extent to which FPS is fulfilling its mission to protect federal employees and facilities and
(2) The management challenges FPS faces. To address these objectives, GAO analyzed FPS staffing data and interviewed numerous FPS officials, GSA, tenant agencies, and local police departments.
GAO continues to work on addressing the above issues and will report complete evaluation at a later date.
A copy of the report can be found here.
Using lessons from the 2005 GulfCoast hurricanes, The federal government released the National Response Framework (NRF) to improve capacity and coordination between government and voluntary sectors using lessons from the 2005 GulfCoast hurricanes. This report examines:
- Why the primary role for mass care in the NRF shifted from the Red Cross to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and potential issues with implementation
- Whether National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD)-an umbrella organization of 49 voluntary agencies-is equipped to fulfill its NRF role
- The extent to which FEMA has addressed issues with mass care for the disabled since the hurricanes
- The extent to which major voluntary agencies have prepared to better serve the disabled since the hurricanes, and
- The extent to which FEMA has addressed issues voluntary agencies faced in receiving Public Assistance reimbursement. To analyze these issues, GAO reviewed the NRF and other documents, and interviewed officials from FEMA, voluntary agencies, and state and local governments.
GAO recommends that:
- FEMA improve coordination with voluntary agencies, such as by enhancing capabilities of its specialized staff,
- NVOAD improve information-sharing during the response to disasters, and
- FEMA increase coordination with the National Council on Disability. Agency officials agreed with the recommendations.
A copy of the framework can be found here.
The latest issue of Volume II, Issue 6 of Perspectives on Terrorism has been released. It contains the following articles:
- Risk Assessment and the Terrorist
By Karl Roberts, John Horgan
- Responding to Terrorism: Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Laws
By Shabana Fayyaz
- Leaderless Jihad: The Modern Face of Terror: A Book Review
By Joshua Sinai
The latest issue can be found here.
“This research was sponsored by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. It should be of interest to homeland security policymakers, military and defense planners, analysts examining the terrorist threat, technology and defense system designers, and individuals charged with protecting potential targets in the U.S. homeland from terrorist attack." - Rand
A copy of the article can be found here.
Backgrounder by Greg Bruno, Council on Foreign Relations, February 27, 2008
In the spring of 2007, when Estonian authorities moved a monument to the Red Army from the center of its capital city, Tallinn, to the outskirts of town, a diplomatic row erupted with neighboring Russia. Estonian nationalists regard the army as occupiers and oppressors, a sentiment that dates to the long period of Soviet rule following the Second World War, when the Soviet Union absorbed all three Baltic states. Ethnic Russians, who make up about a quarter of Estonia’s 1.3 million people, were nonetheless incensed by the statue’s treatment and took to the streets in protest. Estonia later blamed Moscow for orchestrating the unrest; order was restored only after U.S. and European diplomatic interventions. But the story of the “Bronze Statue” did not end there. Days after the riots the computerized infrastructure of Estonia’s high-tech government began to fray, victimized by what experts in cybersecurity termed a coordinated “denial of service” attack. A flood of bogus requests for information from computers around the world conspired to cripple (Wired) the websites of Estonian
banks, media outlets, and ministries for days. Estonia denounced the attacks as an unprovoked act of aggression from a regional foe (though experts still disagree on who perpetrated it—Moscow has denied any knowledge). Experts in cybersecurity went one step further: They called it the future of warfare.
To read the full article click here.
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