30 April 2007
- Mr Ian Carnell has been reappointed as Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, a position he has held since 2004.
- Analytical Service Company has released a technical note examining a large mine blast under a warship. Download the Technical Note here.
- The Queensland Government has recently released its 2005 statewide evaluation of Neighborhood watch. The report of the evaluation can be found here.
Two documents have been released highlighting the challenges for the health services following a catastrophic disaster.
The first is a paper is called The Surge Capacity for People in Emergencies (SCOPE) study in Australasian hospitals by Matthias Traub, David A Bradt and Anthony P Joseph. The objective of the study was to measure physical assets in Australasian hospitals required for the management of mass casualties as a result of terrorism or natural disasters.
The study found that 61%–82% of critically injured patients would not have immediate access to operative care, 34%–70% would have delayed access to an ICU bed, and 42% of the less critically injured would have delayed access to x-ray facilities. The study demonstrates that physical assets in Australasian public hospitals do not meet US hospital preparedness benchmarks for mass casualty incidents. It recommended national agreement on disaster preparedness benchmarks and periodic publication of hospital performance indicators to enhance disaster preparedness
The paper is available here:
The second is a report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute called “Are we ready? Healthcare preparedness for catastrophic terrorism”. It is authored by Anthony Bergin, Director of Research Programs, ASPI and Raspal Khosa, Senior Research Officer, ASPI.
If concluded at in a mass casualty event our health care system could be overwhelmed. However the report founded that there was a lack of relevant publicly available information on the preparedness of this sector for mass casualty terrorism.
The report provides a detailed overview of current constraints and suggests that further steps at the national level should be taken to meet our healthcare preparedness, response and recovery goals for mass casualty incidents.
The report is available from www.aspi.org.au
Brisbane CBD Emergency Plan To Prepare City
People living, working and visiting Brisbane’s CBD will be better prepared for an emergency with the release of a new response plan, according to Qld Premier Peter Beattie.
The Emergency Response Plan ‘Brisbane Secure’ states how people living, working and visiting the CBD during an emergency will be protected. In October 2006, a draft of the plan was tested by 100 people.
The Plan can be downloaded from: www.police.qld.gov.au/BrisbaneSecure
Many of Australia’s leading security advisors will be presentating at next week’s Security Professionals’ Congress. These include:
- Terry Nolan AM, Regional Security Advisor, Asia Pacific, Shell
- Jason Brown, National Security Director, Thales Australia
- Martin Studdert AM, Director, Protective Services Coordination Centre, Attorney-General’s Department
- Steve van Zwieten, General Manager Panthers Group
- Chris Ruff, Senior Security Advisor, Santos Ltd
The Congress will provide:
- information on the latest trends relevant to your discipline
- an opportunity to influence the future of the security profession
- the forum to build your network of security practitioners through small afternoon workshops
For more information, click here.
Security issues in the Council of Australian Governments’ Meeting on 13 April 2007
The following issues are extracted from the Communique from the Council of Australian Governments’ Meeting on 13 April 2007 and relate to security.
COAG has agreed to a National CBRN Security Strategy, to provide a framework to strengthen and enhance Australia's existing national counter-terrorism arrangements for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear security. In addressing the threat of biological and radiological materials being used for the purpose of terrorism, COAG also agreed to the establishment of a national regulatory scheme for biological agents of security concern as well as arrangements to regulate the secure storage, possession, use and transport of certain radiological materials to minimise the risk that such material can be misused by terrorists.
Leaders signed an intergovernmental agreement that underpins the National Identity Security Strategy and provides a framework for intergovernmental cooperation to strengthen Australia’s personal identification processes.
The Intergovernmental Agreement identifies six areas in which work across jurisdictions is to be directed: standard enrolment processes; security standards for government issued documents; a national document verification service; data integrity processes; authentication; and biometric security measures. Substantial work has already been completed in these areas, as outlined in the reports attached. This work is of significant value in providing guidance to government, and there is scope for jurisdictions that so choose to make use of it to refine further their own identity security frameworks.
COAG further noted the progress made to date in giving effect to the six elements of the Strategy and acknowledged the value of this work in providing guidance to government.
There are two important documents published by COAD that are publicly available. They are:
- The Strategy National Identity Security Strategy is an Intergovernmental Agreement underpins the National Identity Security Strategy. It outlines the elements of the Strategy, provides a framework for intergovernmental cooperation and commits jurisdictions to working together to develop and implement the elements of the Strategy. – It can be downloaded here.
- The Report to COAG on the Elements of the National Identity Security Strategy –can be downloaded here.
COAG considered a proposal for a nationally-consistent approach to the regulation of the private security industry that focuses on improving the probity, skills and mobility of industry personnel across jurisdictions. However, COAG was unable to agree on a nationally-consistent approach at this time.
The COAG consultants' report is available here.
Below is the section from the ALP’s National Congress in relation to homeland security and terrorism. The 44th National Conference was held on 27–29 April 2007 in Sydney.
21. Labor led older generations of Australians in successfully defending Australia as a secure, courageous and democratic nation. Terrorism is nothing new, but its growing presence in our region poses new and complex security challenges. Labor will increase engagement in our region and cooperation with our neighbours—measures that are fundamental to meeting the new security challenges. Labor will ensure that our defence forces, police and emergency services are equipped to meet the new challenges. As always preserving national security, and the security of individuals, is a major Labor priority.
22. Labor’s first priority is the defence and security of our nation and its people. However, Labor refuses to manipulate fear or racism for political gain in response to terror. Australia needs tough laws to deal with terrorism but, just as importantly, we need well-balanced laws that target the terrorists, not innocent citizens. We need strong safeguards to protect the civil and human rights that are fundamental to our freedoms.
23. Labor believes that the challenge of terrorism, together with the changing nature of the threat spectrum, requires a reorganisation of Australia’s national security policy. In the past, Australia has not had a properly integrated national security policy that addresses the breadth and depth of the new threat spectrum—including terrorism, international organized crime and the narcotics trade. To this end, Labor will establish an Office of National Security under the Prime Minister’s portfolio to be headed for the first time by a National Security Advisor at permanent head level. This Office will develop Australia’s first fully integrated
national security policy.
24. Labor will develop, in partnership with regional governments in South East Asia, a Comprehensive Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Labor argues that a Comprehensive Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategy should be based on five core organising principles:
- prevention;
- protection;
- emergency response management (in the event that terrorist attacks occur);
- coordinated capacity building across the region; and
- a ‘hearts and minds’ strategy to address the underlying political, economic and societal factors which terrorist groups exploit to their advantage.
25. Labor believes that an effective strategy for combating terrorism must also confront those factors that make it easier for terrorist organisations to recruit within the region. This raises the question of economic, employment and educational opportunities available to young people across the region—particularly Indonesia and the Philippines. Labor believes this requires an integrated, comprehensive strategy for dealing with a range of the causative factors involved in the terrorism challenge.
26. Finally, Labor believes that the global nature and reach of various terrorist organisations will mean that Australia will rely on global intelligence exchange—as well as support for an expanding range of UN multilateral measures designed to combat terrorist financing and explicitly to outlaw defined terrorist organisations.
150. Labor believes that Australia’s national interest dictates a committed and determined effort to prevent the spread of terrorism. Labor is strongly committed to working with its neighbours, allies and through the United Nations, to eliminate this serious threat.
151. While primary responsibility for counter-terrorism rests with Australia’s intelligence, law enforcement and emergency management agencies, the ADF also has a critical role. Labor’s new Department of Homeland Security will work closely with Defence to ensure that Australia develops a coordinated, whole of government response to the ongoing threat of terrorism. The ADF will also work with its regional partners and allies to enhance joint counter-terrorism training and operations.
152. Labor is committed to ensuring that the ADF, in particular the Special Forces, is equipped with the highest level of counter-terrorist capabilities available.
153. Labor will investigate the need for further research of force protection, surveillance and detection capabilities for the ADF to counter terrorism-related technologies such as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
215. One of the primary obligations of government is to secure and defend its territory, people and economic and political interests. In recent years, the threat of non-state terrorism has made that task more difficult and threatened to disrupt the peace and security of Australians at home, as well as abroad.
216. These new and additional security challenges require new and effective responses that are compatible with ensuring the safety of Australians at home in a free and democratic society.
217. Life, liberty and security are the most fundamental of all human rights. Ensuring the defence and security of our nation and its people is one of the most important obligations of government.
218. Australia needs tough laws to deal with terrorism but, just as importantly, we need wellbalanced laws that target the terrorists, not innocent citizens. We need strong safeguards to protect the civil and human rights that are fundamental to our freedoms. We can protect the community from terrorism while also safeguarding the right to legal representation and a fair trial.
219. In responding to terrorism, we must not undermine or destroy the very liberties we are seeking to protect.
220. Labor is committed to an effective and comprehensive plan for domestic security to enable all Australians to live, work and raise families in safety.
221. Central to that endeavour is the creation of a new Department of Homeland Security to ensure all relevant resources of government are carefully focused on the security of our national borders and critical infrastructure and the protection of all Australians at home.
222. Labor’s Department of Homeland Security will achieve better coordination between law enforcement, intelligence and security agencies as well as civil authorities and the
Defence Organisation.
223. The Homeland Security Department will coordinate and control the key agencies involved in information and intelligence gathering, border protection, coastal waters, transport security, protection of critical infrastructure, incident response and recovery.
224. Labor’s plan avoids the problems created by splitting these functions over a number of Departments that invites overlap, wastage, confusion and missed opportunities. In national security, confusion and missed opportunities can be fatal.
225. Labor’s Department of Homeland Security will be organised around its core
- responsibilities of:
- border protection;
- protecting against terrorist attacks;
- fighting crime;
- collection and dissemination of intelligence; and
- response to and recovery from incidents.
226. The border protection role includes responsibility for authorising entry and monitoring the passage of persons and goods through our ports.
227. Protecting against terrorism within the borders would bring together responsibilities such as infrastructure protection, including transport security, counter-terrorism science and technology, crime prevention, emergency management, and protective security coordination.
228. Labor’s Homeland Security Department will include a number of law enforcement and security agencies, such as the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Customs Service, the Australian Federal Police and Protective Service, the Protective Security Coordination Centre, Austrac, Crimtrac and the Australian Crime Commission.
229. This new Department will provide a more efficient and effective way to coordinate and integrate domestic security operations in Australia.
230. Protecting our borders is an important part of protecting our citizens. A new Homeland Security Department with a clear responsibility for border protection is the best means to secure the community from:
- illegal drugs, weapons, explosives and precursors;
- illegal immigrants, people smugglers and sex traffickers;
- illegal fishing and exploitation of our environment; and
- terrorist penetration.
231. Australia’s maritime and border security has been dangerously neglected. Thousands of illegal boats go unchallenged in our northern waters. The threat to our fishing and aquaculture industries, the risk of human and livestock diseases spreading and the opportunity for drug smuggling and gun running require urgent action.
232. Labor will establish an Australian Coastguard under the Department of Homeland Security to tackle these problems in association with other agencies.
233. The Australian Coastguard will be responsible for the detection of and response to all incursions into Australian waters; for the enforcement of all Commonwealth laws as they relate to the maritime jurisdiction; for carrying out coastal surveillance and intelligence gathering operations; for coordinating maritime safety and search and rescue operations; and for coastal surveillance and protection against incursions in times of declared emergency and conflict.
234. In addition to existing resources within Customs, the Coastguard will be equipped with new vessels and other platforms designed for their specific role and appropriately armed to undertake their important tasks. Coastguard personnel will be recruited to complement existing personnel engaged in these tasks.
235. The Coastguard will also have a volunteer civil reserve component to provide a localized search and rescue service.
236. Labor is committed to a rapid improvement in the security of our coastal shipping and
major ports, many of which are in heavily populated areas.
237. Labor will ensure that only security cleared vessels crewed with sailors who have appropriate security clearances are able to carry dangerous materials on coastal routes.
238. Labor will ensure that all ships wanting to enter Australian ports provide satisfactory details of all cargo and crew at least 48 hours before arrival and that a significantly higher percentage of containers are x-rayed on arrival.
239. The aviation industry remains a target for terrorists. Labor will expedite the implementation of the ‘Wheeler’ review recommendations which has stalled under the Liberals.
240. Labor will work with stakeholders to ensure:
- in-line screening of all cargo on passenger flights at counter-terrorism, first response airports is completed;
- upgrades to regional airport security are given priority, particularly those that have direct commercial passenger flights to major high security airports;
- the expanded use of CCTV, including enhanced smart monitoring that complies with agreed minimum national standards; and
- improved perimeter security.
241. Labor is committed to ensuring that the security of Australia’s aviation industry is second
to none.
242. The horrific terrorist attacks on Madrid’s rail system in 2004 and the attack on London’s bus and rail network in 2005 demand urgent bus and rail security upgrades in Australia.
243. Labor will work with industry, State, Territory and local government to ensure acceptable national standards for security are in place on all major urban transport systems.
244. Labor will take the initiative in ensuring:
- the design of carriages, buses, ferries, railway stations and terminals minimises the opportunity for explosive devices to be left and also reduces the lethal effect of any explosion which may occur;
- a substantial increase in the availability of sniffer dogs to detect explosives and their regular use on major urban transport systems;
- the creation of highly mobile flying squads of police, specially trained to operate in an urban transport environment; and
- improved security and surveillance at depots and rail yards where vehicles, ferries and passenger carriages are held.
245. The Inspector of Transport Security has an important role inspecting and verifying that security measures meet acceptable national standards to protect the travelling public. Under Labor, the role of the Inspector of Transport Security will be enhanced and become a full-time position to audit transport security measures and ensure suitable standards apply.
246. Labor recognises the need for safeguards to protect against a pandemic or disease that could threaten human and other life. Accidental or deliberate actions can expose Australia to these risks.
247. While improved border security will play an important part in minimising these risks, Labor recognises the need for expanded research in the field of bioterrorism to combat the use of viruses and other forms of infectious disease that may be a threat.
248. Labor will work closely with other nations in our region to control the threat of bioterrorism and pandemics more generally.
249. Natural and human-caused disasters can threaten lives and property. At such times, protecting critical infrastructure such as communications, power and water supply is vital to the recovery effort and maintenance of normal activity.
250. In cooperation with other tiers of government, utility providers and owners of critical infrastructure, Labor will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to limit threats and ensure rapid recovery from incidents.
251. Natural disasters are a part of Australian life. Together with the damage and injury which terrorists may cause, they pose challenges for all levels of government. The Commonwealth has a key role to play in monitoring threats, supporting programs that reduce the risk of incidents and responding to and recovering from disasters.
252. As part of Labor’s Department of Homeland Security, Emergency Management Australia will be resourced to ensure response and recovery from incidents minimise loss of life and damage to property.
253. Labor will work with other levels of government to ensure local resources are capable of addressing anticipated threats. Particular attention will be given to interoperability across agencies and jurisdictions.
The full conference agenda can be downloaded here:
Australia to test cyber security in terrorism exercise
Building on the success of last year's Exercise Cyber Storm, Australia will join the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Canada in Exercise Cyber Storm II during March next year.
Cyber Storm II will be designed to simulate a significant international incident caused by attacks on critical communications systems through the Internet. Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said exercises such as Cyber Storm II were an essential part of the Australian Government's counter-terrorism strategy.
"Vital services, such as energy, water, banking, food supply, transport, health and emergency services are all underpinned by a complex network of inter-related IT systems. Around 40 organisations from the Australian Government, State and Territory governments, the IT industry and private sector members of the Trusted Information Sharing Network for Critical Infrastructure Protection have expressed interest in taking part." Mr Ruddock said.
Cyber Storm II will be held over five days in conjunction with the US Department of Homeland Security National Cyber Security Division, the UK's Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and New Zealand's Centre for Critical Infrastructure Protection.
More information about Cyber Storm II can be obtained from the Attorney-General's Department Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch by emailing cip@ag.gov.au.
Attorney-General Philip Ruddock will ask the States and Territories to urgently approve changes to censorship laws after revelations that videos praising terrorism have been given a PG rating.
Mr Ruddock said the current test of whether a publication "promotes, incites or instructs” people to do a criminal act was inadequate and that material which "advocates" terrorism should be refused classification.
The Attorney-General has informed the States and Territories that the Federal Government would intervene if they fail to make the necessary changes. He said advocacy was the same terminology agreed by all state and territory governments for the 2005 terrorism legislation.
Advocate in the Criminal Code refers to action that directly or indirectly counsels, urges, provides instruction on doing a terrorist act or directly praises the doing of a terrorist act where there is a risk that such praise might lead a person to engage in a terrorist act.
Under Mr Ruddock’s proposal, material that contains depictions and/or descriptions that "advocate” terrorist acts would be refused classification and could not be sold or distributed.
The Attorney-General said the "advocacy" test was the most appropriate way to deal with material like the Death Series DVDs made by Sheik Feiz Mohammad of the Global Islamic Youth Centre.
The Classification Board or the Review Board would still determine whether a product should be refused classification. Mr Ruddock said that if the States and Territories quickly agreed to a new test, the process of public consultation could commence.
A discussion paper on how best to control chemicals assessed to have security concern has received widespread public comment over the past three months, the Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran announced.
The concerns of farmers, in particular, have been taken on board and they along with other stakeholders will be encouraged to take part in a second round of consultations later this year.
A report to COAG will then follow. Implementation is not expected to commence until 2008 at the earliest.
Future consultations will be available at the COAG Review of Hazardous Materials' website found by clicking here.
The Australian Government has released an Issues Paper on General Aviation in Australia and has called for input on it. The paper was released by the Strategic Industry Leadership Group (SILG) as part of the General Aviation Industry Action Agenda.
According to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile "This Industry Issues Paper is a starting point for the General Aviation Action Agenda to build on.
General aviation commonly refers to that part of the aviation industry that engages in activity other than scheduled commercial airline activity. This may include charter operators, aeromedical operators, agricultural aviation businesses, aviation-based fire-fighting services, training and aerial work such as aerial photography and surveying. It also includes private, business, recreational and sports aviation activity and supporting businesses such as maintenance providers.
Submissions need to be made by 18 May 2007. The full paper can be downloaded here.
The information below is drawn from the Issues Paper and relates to security.
Issue: In the heightened security environment that has existed since September 2001, general aviation has been subject to several new security measures? How do these security requirements impact on general aviation activity? How can the general aviation industry maintain participation and activity levels while complying with security requirements?
The Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 and the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 came into force in March 2005 following the events of 11 September 2001 and the heightened threat of terrorism involving the unlawful use of aircraft and airport facilities. The new Act and Regulations provide one security regulatory environment for everyone in the aviation industry. The Australian Government recognises that security measures place a financial burden on general aviation, but believes the costs of security enhancements are small relative to the loss of an aircraft, the death of passengers and flow-on economic effects. There is therefore an incentive for all members of the aviation industry from private enterprise through to government to have the appropriate level of security commensurate with risk. Direct impacts on the GA industry of this policy include:
- Owners and operators of private, corporate non-jet and recreational aircraft must take reasonable measures to protect their aircraft from being flown by an unauthorized person. Compliance usually involves fitting anti-theft devices or storing the aircraft in a secure hangar.
- Pilots flying to security controlled airports with RPT services must have an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) in addition to a pilot or crew licence to access airside areas of security controlled airports. [Under the new security framework the regulation of regional airports has been significantly expanded to include 145 previously unregulated regional airports and 111 prescribed air service operators.]
- Members of the aviation industry have additional security responsibilities. For example they must follow directions given by authorised aviation security officials, report suspicious incidents and comply with requests to inspect aircraft or to take specific actions if there is a security incident.
Views have been expressed that general aviation is “currently in decline and has very little or no margin for absorbing additional security costs”. In its submission to the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit Review of Aviation Security in Australia, Bankstown Airport Limited reported industry perception that regulatory changes will not improve security, that regulations are designed for ‘major’ airports and are therefore not commensurate with the risk at small and regional airports, and that the general aviation industry in the main has not “engaged” with the legislation.39
The Government established the Regional Airport Funding Program (RAFP) following consideration of an ASIO threat assessment of Australia’s aviation sector and the need to ensure the viability of the regional aviation industry. An assessment of these factors found that the security of regional aviation would be better achieved through a requirement for airport operators to upgrade their physical security measures. $36.5 million has been committed to the program since its introduction. Notwithstanding this, operators of general aviation airports have continued to express concern on the cost impact of maintaining security infrastructure. In evidence to the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, Mr Kim Ellis, Chief executive Officer, Bankstown Airport Corporation, stated:
The key issues that we are facing, and which are highlighted in the submission, are firstly the current security regulations. Bankstown has been subject to a brand new security regime as part of the new aviation legislation and the subsequent regulations. The department has been particularly sensitive to the needs of that sector of the industry. The level of consultation that has occurred with the airports has been significantly improving over the past six months. There are still some areas that need to be picked up in that legislation, particularly in the communication with the operators in the industry. It is putting those in a context that it is the lower end of the industry. Many of these are almost subsistence companies, and the communication with them needs to be very accurate and very pinpoint.
The other significant issue in this part of the industry is the costs. There is not the ability in this level of the industry to absorb the security costs. Rather than thousands of passengers or thousands of tonnes of cargo, we are talking tens of passengers or tens of tonnes of cargo. The costs related to security cannot be as easily distributed amongst the operating costs of the industry. The capital expenditure that has been provided by the Commonwealth under its security regulations has been well received, but the sting in the tail, of course, are the very high and ongoing operating costs of running security, including the supporting elements of staff and information technology.
From 1 July 2004 all pilots and trainee pilots were required to undertake background checking prior to being issued with new photographic licences Ensuring that pilots and trainee pilots are subject to background checking reduces the likelihood of persons who might pose a threat to aviation gaining access to aircraft through legitimate means. In introducing this new requirement the Government balanced the needs of the general aviation sector against the broader public interest and the current threat environment, and has taken into consideration that the costs of security measures are now widely accepted as a normal operating cost of business.
The Department of Transport and Regional Services estimates that the new licences cost pilots or their employers well below $200. The Department has been working with CASA to streamline the introduction of this new step in the licensing process to minimise bureaucracy. Non-powered aircraft are not included in the category of aircraft required to be secured from theft. Background checking will not be carried out on pilots of non-powered aircraft and they will not be required to have a photographic licence.
The Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) was introduced through changes to the aviation transport security legislative regime in 2005. Since 31 March 2006, the new security card has been a requirement for people who need to gain access to secure areas of airports, making the cards vitally important to many pilots. Personnel working at general aviation security controlled airports (i.e. those that do not have RPT services), do not need an ASIC. In 2005–06, to make ASICs available to all Australian pilots, CASA became a card-issuing authority for the first time. CASA had no experience in quickly processing high-volume transactions so, despite having little time for planning, needed to introduce both new staff and new processes to assist with the production of the cards. As one staff member put it, we needed to transform from a corner store into a major supermarket. To cope with the workload, CASA allocated staff to the project for seven days a week, and at times for 24 hours a day, during February and March 2006. Thanks to [these] efforts, CASA issued more than 10,000 cards by the end of March.
Many pilots were troubled by the inconvenience of having to apply for something new, and by the time taken to process their applications. Although other agencies were involved in processing security clearances, which contributed to delays beyond CASA’s control, as the public face of the card-issuing process CASA managed the high volume of complaints. Working on the ASIC has been a learning exercise for CASA and the other agencies involved. When cards need to be issued in future, we expect to continue to implement improvements in our systems and to make greater use of IT applications. CASA also expects fewer complaints. Most pilots now accept that security is an important matter, and that the card and other initiatives help to reduce risk and maintain public confidence in the integrity of Australia’s aviation system.40
Beijing Olympic counter-terrorism exercise
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has conducted a significant offshore counter terrorism desktop exercise with its counterparts in the People’s Republic of China in Beijing as part of the security preparations for next year’s Olympic Games. The desktop exercise brought counter-terrorism experts from the AFP and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security (MPS) together for the first time to coordinate a response to a major hypothetical crisis, linked to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The exercise will help both agencies work more closely to counter the threat of terrorism to major events held in the Asian Pacific Region. The AFP’s National Manager Counter Terrorism, Frank Prendergast, said the desktop exercise provided an excellent examination of the AFP’s and MPS’s counter-terrorism interoperability.
The exercise began on 6 April and concluded on 11 April 2007.
Queensland outlaws identity fraud
The Queensland State Parliament has passed legislation that will give people convicted of identity fraud up to three years’ jail. The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said the reforms were needed given the rapid development of information technology had led to a corresponding increase in crimes committed using that technology. The legislation makes it unlawful to obtain, possess or deal in personal identification information for the purposes of committing or facilitating an indictable offence.
A new high security unit for Victoria’s worst criminals - including people charged with gangland crimes - is expected to be completed by the end of July this year. A $6.96 million redevelopment at Barwon Maximum Security Prison has commenced, which will create the Melaleuca High Security Unit and convert 27 mainstream beds into high security beds. The changes increases high security bed capacity in Victoria to 50.
Prison officers can monitor the entire unit through the latest CCTV equipment which incorporates specialised infra-red technology.
The NSW Government is concerned about Muslim fundamentalist inmates in the super-max facility at Goulburn. The Government is concerned about the power that the ‘gang’ like group of Muslim prisoners has which comprises about a third of the super-max population. The group is said to idolize Osama bin Laden and is deemed by the prison officials to be a threat to population both inside and outside the prison walls. Specialist decoders uncovered an elaborate plot for a mass escape that involved taking over a large section of the jail and money laundering. The NSW Government transferred the leader of the gang, Bassam Hamzy, to Lithgow Gaol.
CCTV and Summit To Make Alice Safer
The Northern Territory Government has announced a $150,000 grant towards CCTV for Alice Springs Mall and a Summit to continue the fight against anti-social behaviour. The $150,000 grant will be given to Alice Springs Town Council to introduce 13 closed-circuit television cameras in Todd Street Mall. A Social Order Taskforce will be created which will identify crime hot spots in and around Alice Springs.
A Summit will be held that will bring together all interested groups in the region to tackle anti-social behaviour, including the regional issues which contribute to the problems in the town. The Summit will be held after the decision on the Alice Springs application to become a dry town – which is expected next month.
Essential for those working in the security industry The Security Professionals' Congress 2007 on the 9-10 May 2007will be the nation’s most important forum for Australian security professionals in both the government and private sectors. The Congress will provide:
- Information on the latest trends relevant to your discipline
- An opportunity to influence the future of the security profession
- The forum to build your network of security practitioners through small afternoon workshops
Aimed at security professionals, notably security managers and government advisors, the Congress will consist of morning plenary presentations and afternoon workshops. This format maximizes learning’s, personnel network development and ability to contribute your views and shape the Congress outcomes.
To ensure the Congress makes a difference, it is supported by many of Australia’s leading security, risk and intelligence associations who will build on the consensus outcomes.
The Congress will hear from Australia's security leaders and be attended by many of the nation's senior security, risk and intelligence practitioners. This guarantees that by the end of the Congress you will have considerable practical information which can be applied in your workplace as well as developing a network of people that will allow you to further your knowledge and career.
Further information and registration details can be found at
http://www.securityprofessionals.org.au/
Date: 23 May 2007
Location: Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Pitt St, Melbourne
Islam is the fastest growing monotheistic religion in the world. These courses provide you with a foundation in Islam and an understanding of the Muslim communities in Australia.
For more information, click here.
Security Professionals’ Congress
Date: 9 and 10 May 2007
Location Melbourne
Security Professionals' Congress 2007 will be the nation’s most important forum for Australia security professionals in both the government and private sectors.
CPP Breakfast
Thursday, 10 May 2007 (0700 for 0725)
Grand Hyatt at 123 Collins Street Melbourne
ASIS Victoria Australia Chapter invites all ASIS members, their guests, current CPP’s, PSP’s, delegates of the Security Professionals’ Congress, members of the Security Special Interest Group of the Risk Management Institution of Australasia and potential certificants to a breakfast meeting.
Andrew Stevens CPP,PSP, Chair of the Chapter Certification Committee will provide an update of the Chapter Certification Program for 2007. This will include hosting the PCI program for the first time and pending changes to recertification.
Guest speakers:
- Mr. Dean Marks, Security Manager Grand Hyatt Melbourne
- Mr Paul Murphy, National Security & Loss Prevention Manager MYER Store Support Office.
- Information: info@securityadvisory.com.au
- Click here to see the invitation
Critical Security Risk Issues 2007
29th May 2007
The Four Seasons Hotel, Circular Quay
ASIS International 1/2 Day Conference will feature presentations by Stuart Page (General Manager APEC Leaders Week), Nick Kaldas (Head of the NSW Police Counter Terrorism Command), Tony Pearce (Director-General Emergency Management Australia) and Richard LaMonica (Training and Intelligence Coordinator, Victorian Dept of Justice).
For more information, click here.
2 May 2007
Spender Theatre, Shedden Building, ACT
The USI of the ACT is pleased to advise that Admiral Chris Barrie, AC, RAN Retired, former Chief of the Defence Force, to address “Challenges for Australia’s Future Security”.
Information www.rusiaust.org.
15 May and 16 May 2007
Canberra
The Australian Defence College (ADC) and the Royal United Services Institute of Australia (RUSI) will co-host a major International Seminar at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).
The theme of the Seminar Since 11 September 2001, the use of military force in assisting in countering trans-national crime as well as terrorist threats has become a significant element of national security strategies.
While military power remains the ultimate means of preserving national sovereignty and protecting national interests, the effective combating of terrorism and other non-state based threats requires a whole-of-government response and cooperation between governments.
Several significant issues flow from this observation, and seminar sessions will focus on the following questions:
- What are the trends in international security over the next 20 years?
- What are the lessons learnt from contemporary operations?
- What are the transformational requirements to meet emerging trends?
- What is the Australian Defence Force’s capacity and capability to contribute to any national response (or national contribution to a multi-national response)?
- What are the likely civil/military responses?
- What is the Australian Defence Force’s potential contribution to any national response?
The full program and registration details are on the Seminar website www.rusiaust.org.
National Security Commonwealth Budget Brief and Predicting Future Trends
Canberra
25 May 2007
A forum identifying national security Commonwealth budget trends and capability development processes in defence, counter-terrorism, intelligence and security
This event is designed to provide participants with a detailed understanding of
- the 2007-08 Commonwealth Budget spending on national security, defence and security
- the inferred and stated purchasing trends
- how capability development occurs which feeds into the budget process
- how experts perceive the need and benefits of developing a national security strategy, a national security capability plan and a national security industry plan?
For more information, click here.
Canberra: 5 June 2007
For more information, click here.
Canberra: 13 June 2007
This seminar will provide you with a unique in depth understanding of the consequences of the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic in Australia. The preparation and response ensures employed nearly a century ago are he same ones that would be used today. Consequently the lessons of the past are highly relevant today.
For more information, click here.
Canberra: 14 June 2007
For more information, click here.
The Risk Business now and into the future - With comments on AS/NZS4360, IEC(AS) 61508 and ARP 4761.
Friday 18 May 2007 - 12.30pm to 5.00pm
Canberra
Engineers Australia Canberra Division Half Day Seminar
Organised by: Risk Engineering Society
Cost $120 for Engineers Australia & Risk Engineering Society Members. $150 non members. (Prices are GST inclusive)
Presenter: Richard Robinson, a career risk engineer, is a Director of Risk & Reliability Associates (R2A)
Information Barbara Lowe, Phone: (02) 6273 1314
Web: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/canberra
7th Australian Security Research Symposium Incorporating Analyse 2007
18-19 July 2007
Edith Cowan University, Western Australia
AIPIO WA in collaboration with Edith Cowan University Security Science and the Griffith University Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice and Governance will convene Analyse 2007 in Perth 18-19 July. This is a great opportunity for practitioners and researchers alike to present either peer reviewed or non peer reviewed papers on their current research interests to an audience of both academics and professional practitioners. This is a great opportunity to showcase unique analytical methodologies, information management systems or adaptations of the intelligence process.
To view the
Updated Call for Papers, click here
4th Annual Security Summit –Presented by the Security Network
The Security Network (TSN) is pleased to present the 4th annual “The Security Summit”. The “Most Innovative Security Products Exhibition and Competition” is expected to have over 60 exhibiting companies from Australia, Canada, the U.K. and the U.S. All entrants into the competition will be reviewed & receive feedback from local, national and international judges including leading members from law enforcement and defence technology assessment centres from 4 countries.
When: 6-7 June 2007
Time: June 6 - 1:00- 4:00 pm Competition (Judges & Exhibitors only) 4:30- 7:30 pm Exhibition open to public, 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm Reception. June 7 - Conference and Exhibitions (all day)
Where: The San Diego Aerospace Museum, Pavilion of Flight, in Balboa Park (California, USA).
More information is available here.
Panellists: Felicity Lawrence (DEWR), Ben Hickey (Customs) and David Reid (Defence CoDO)
Exercising Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) is critical to safeguarding your organisation - if you have not tested your plan, you do not have a plan! The Forum will discuss the various ways in which BCPs can be exercised including defining the pros and cons of each approach. This will be followed by a panel of key ACT-based business continuity professionals sharing their thoughts on aspects of exercising plans. There will be time for questions and open discussion. Come along to this FREE forum and share experiences with your peers in this rapidly growing business discipline.
When: Monday 7 May 2007. 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m
Where: DEWR, 1 Mort Street, Canberra City
Information: here
This is the leading biometrics event in the region presented by the not-for-profit Biometrics Institute Ltd. This event will give you access to the key players in the biometrics industry and you can share your experiences with other biometrics users.
The event will focus on biometrics including commercial and government applications, technology updates, privacy considerations, standards, interoperability, testing & evaluation.
When: 7-8 June 2007
Where: Amora Hotel Jamison, Sydney, Australia
Information: here
member@biometricsinstitute.org
An editorial on disaster surge planning in Australia by Andrew G Robertson and David M Cooper can be found here
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