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27 December 2006

Special Edition – Newly budgeted measures on homeland security

This edition of Safeguarding Australia E-News contains Commonwealth Government expenditure on homeland security taken since the 2006‑07 Budget. In total, $160.6 million has been budgeted for new homeland security measures. The figures in this newsletter are derived from details in the 2006-2007 Mid‑Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook which was released by the Commonwealth Government in late December.

Summary of homeland security taken since the 2006‑07 Budget (May 2006)

Cumulative expenditure on homeland security

The initiatives identified in the 2006-2007 Mid‑Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook  brings the total Australian Government’s security and counter terrorism expenditure since 2001 to $6.9 billion million. Below is a table and chart of the expenditure.

Details of initiatives

Below is the explanation of the table symbols
* The nature of this measure is such that a reliable estimate cannot be provided.
- nil
.. not zero, but rounded to zero

National Action Plan (NAP) to promote national security and cohesion

A key national security initiative has been the National Action Plan (NAP) to promote national security and cohesion within our community. The outline of it was announced in July and its measures are one part of a strategy to reduce the risk of extremism gaining a toehold in Australia, and to work against the promotion of violence and intolerance in our society. According to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Robb, when he launched the initiatives, they “will assist in reducing community anxiety and promote national security and cohesion within our community”.
The initiatives include:

• Programmes, including pilots, involving:
• A new values based education initiative;
• Employment coordinators;
• Employment workshops for young job seekers;
• A sporting programme to increase the participation of children in local sporting clubs;
• A mentoring programme to increase participation of young people in work, education, training and community life;

In the first instance, the pilots are to be conducted in Lakemba and Macquarie Fields.

• The creation of a world class centre of research and educational excellence in Islamic studies within a major Australian university, to play a leadership role in exploring the place of Islam in modern society;
• Interfaith dialogue projects;
• Continuation of a Muslim advisory group;
• A volunteer staffed counselling and support helpline for the Muslim community based on the very successful UK project;
• Specialist training, educational materials and forums to bring law enforcement agencies and Muslim communities together to resolve issues;
• Crisis management training to help empower the Muslim community to plan for and respond to issues, incidents and crises

National Action Plan for social cohesion, harmony and security — combating extremism

The Government will provide $4.4 million over four years (including $88,000 in capital funding) to develop specialist training, education materials and forums aimed at assisting law enforcement agencies and Muslim communities resolve conflict and discrimination issues.

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission will also assist;

• Law enforcement agencies to respond to vilification and other discrimination issues;
• Communities to work effectively with law enforcement agencies in managing community issues;
• Muslim leaders to build understanding and acceptance of support services and complaints mechanisms; and
• Promotion of the rule of law among young Muslims and the appropriate ways of dealing with difference, conflict and grievance.

National Action Plan for social cohesion, harmony and security — improving crisis management for the Muslim community

The Government will provide $2.9 million over four years (including $38,000 in capital funding in 2006-07) to assist the Muslim community plan for and respond to national security issues and incidents, and emergencies. This measure will help the development of initiatives aimed at improving Muslim community awareness of national security arrangements and emergency response agencies. The measure will also seek to enhance law enforcement and emergency personnel’s understanding of Muslim community issues by building effective communication pathways.

The $2.9 million will enable the Protective Security Coordination Centre (PSCC) and Emergency Management Australia (EMA) to help empower the Muslim community to plan for and respond to issues, incidents and crises.

This proposal is designed to improve the Muslim community’s awareness of the work of Australia’s national security and emergency response agencies and foster understanding of issues affecting the community within these agencies. For example, cultural awareness will be incorporated into all training courses run by EMA for emergency services personnel.

National Action Plan for social cohesion, harmony and security — establishment of an Islamic studies centre                                                                               

The Government will provide $7.9 million over four years to establish a National Centre of Research and Educational Excellence in Islamic Studies within a major Australian university. This Centre is to play a leadership role in exploring the place of Islam in modern society, and will provide tertiary accredited undergraduate and post-graduate qualifications in fields as diverse as architecture, art and commerce. Up to 300 students are expected to enrol at the Centre with classes anticipated to begin in 2007.

Amounts loaned under the Higher Education Loans Programme (HELP) for students taking up these places are treated as financial assets and therefore do not impact on the fiscal balance. Payments by students of the indexation component of their HELP loan is treated as interest revenue. These payments will affect the fiscal balance from 2007-08. The additional public debt interest incurred by the Australian Government in financing the loans is separately accounted for in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

The courses will provide many subjects relevant for those training to be Muslim religious leaders, providing an important vehicle for the teaching of Islam in an Australian context, applying the usual academic rigour of the Australian university system.
The centre is designed to attract eminent, moderate Islamic scholars from around the world who will provide an authoritative community reference point.

National Action Plan for social cohesion, harmony and security — community engagement

The Government will provide $15.1 million over four years to continue the objectives of the national action plan for social cohesion, harmony and security. The funding will be provided for projects with state and territory governments and community organisations that help promote wider community engagement and participation by Muslims in social, sport, arts and other cultural and civic activities. It will also provide continued support for the Muslim Community Reference Group and fund further research into the causes of social disharmony within the Australian community.

National Action Plan for social cohesion, harmony and security — pilot programmes

The Government will provide $5.2 million over three years (including $12,000 in capital funding in 2006-07) to conduct pilot programmes as part of the national action plan for social cohesion, harmony and security. The programmes will be conducted in Lakemba and Macquarie Fields in the first instance and will be evaluated in the third year.
The programmes are:

• New Sporting Initiative for Disadvantaged Young Australians (Australian Sports Commission);
• Employment Initiatives for Disadvantaged Australians (Department of Employment and Workplace Relations);
• New Education Initiatives to Benefit Young Australians (Department of Education, Science and Training); and
• Mentors to Assist Disadvantaged Young Australians (Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs).

Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing reforms

The Government will provide $157.0 million over five years (including $34.2 million in 2010-11) for the implementation of the anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing reforms. This measure includes $8.0 million in capital funding for accommodation fit-out and information technology equipment. The reforms will be introduced through the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Bill 2006.

National Emergency Call Centre and National Security Hotline — database connectivity

The Government will provide funding to improve connectivity between the National Emergency Call Centre and the National Security Hotline. Provision has been included in the Contingency Reserve.

Maritime Security — Australian Maritime Identification System

The Government will provide $7.3 million in 2006-07 (including $0.9 million in capital funding) to progress the new Australian Maritime Identification System (AMIS) to the detailed design phase. When completed, AMIS will bring together maritime data currently collected by several agencies to help form a coordinated picture of sea-going activity in Australia’s maritime region. The capital funding is for fit-out and equipment.

Enhancing aviation security — screening for liquids, aerosols and gels

The Government will facilitate the introduction of the requirement to screen for liquids, aerosols and gels carried onboard aircraft flying international routes. From 31 March 2007, restrictions will apply on the quantity of liquids, aerosols and gels that passengers can carry onboard international inbound and outbound flights, and improved security screening procedures will apply. These measures will harmonise Australian practice with international action that has recently been taken by the United States, Canada, and the European Union and the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

As these restrictions may result in longer security screening times at airports, the Government will conduct an information campaign, investigate and trial advanced screening technologies and provide training for security screeners. Costs for these activities are yet to be agreed and appropriate provision has been made in the Contingency Reserve.

Specific carry on restrictions come into effect on March 31 2007 and only small amounts of these substances, (100 millilitres per container) including drinks, creams, perfumes, sprays, gels and toothpaste will be permitted to be taken through the screening point onto international passenger aircraft as carry-on baggage, in a resealable transparent plastic bag no larger than one litre which must be screened separately.

Exceptions will be made for passengers with medical conditions and baby food intended to be consumed on board.

Strategic Maritime Management Committee secretariat — additional funding

The Government will provide $1.1 million over four years to support the Strategic Maritime Management Committee.

The committee will provide whole-of-government policy and strategic direction with regard to Australia’s civil maritime security. It will regularly consider maritime security threats, advise the Government on appropriate response arrangements and review the effectiveness of maritime enforcement programmes.

The committee membership consists of AFP, the Attorney-General’s Department, Customs, DAFF, the Department of the Environment and Heritage, DFAT, DIMA, DOTARS, ONA, Defence, the Department of Finance and Administration, and the Treasury.