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31 July 2008

News

1. Attorney-General’s defines national security priorities
2. Whole-Of-Government Review of E-Security
3. Improvement of Major Disaster Rescue Response
4. CSIRO to develop tracking system where GPS does not work
5. Australia may contribute counter-insurgency training for Pakistani
6. Australian Youths Help Shape Global Online Safety
7. Extra AFP Personnel to Support East Timor
8. Recommendations contribute to ongoing reform of NSW Ambulance Service
9. Nuclear Security Treaty
   

Events

1. Private Military Companies Forum in Australia’s Areas of Interest
   
2. Civil-Military Cooperation; Understanding the New Rudd Agenda
   
3. 2nd Australian Mental Health and Psychosocial Disaster Conference
   
4. Invitation to join the 2008 Law Enforcement Mission to the US
5. Defence White Paper Forum
   

Publications

1. ASPI Report- Security Architecture in Asia
   
2. Managing the Next Domestic Catastrophe: Ready (or Not)?
   
3. ASPI Report - Asian Military Trends
   
4. Food Security Assessment, 2007
   
5. Wildfire Damages to Homes and Resources: Understanding Causes and Reducing Losses
   
6. Terrorism Havens: Philippines
   
7. The Challenge of Protecting Mass Gatherings in a Post-9/11 World
   
8. Project BioShield Annual Report to Congress, August 2006-July 2007
   
9. Newsletter of the Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security (CEPS)
   
10. Call for papers – Bomb conference, Canberra, November
    
11. New Australia Critical Infrastructure Protection journal

Attorney-General’s defines national security priorities

During the address by the Attorney-General at the Safeguarding Australia conference on 23 July, the Hon. Robert McClelland stated that:

• Our concept of ‘national security’ has expanded. It includes not just traditional security concerns, but also emanates from threats such as pandemics, economic shocks and climate change. ‘National security’ now involves a wide range of issues – and, in turn, a wide range of agencies and activities.
• The Prime Minister is currently considering the Government’s response to the recommendations of the Ric Smith review of Australia’s homeland and border security arrangements
• The first interoperability meeting of the heads of the AFP and ASIO and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions was held in May as part of the Street Review of national security operations and interoperability of national security agencies. The establishment of this forum implements one of the key recommendations of the Street Review and it provides the AFP, ASIO and the Director of Public Prosecutions a regular opportunity to review and resolve strategic priorities and interoperability issues with respect to national security operations
• The Government is committed to better engagement with the community on a whole range of security issues. This engagement was highlighted during the 2020 Summit in April when a security and prosperity stream was included.
• I’ve tasked my Department to work with other relevant agencies to develop strategies to empower communities to counter extremism. Any measures adopted will be specific to our circumstances here in Australia.
• As a Government that is taking an all-hazards approach to national security, we want to develop community resilience. That is – communities that have the ability to bounce back from adversity. This is why my Department is working closely with local communities right around the country to promote resilience. We’re looking to strengthen both national partnerships for emergency management and a more hands on approach for communities to develop self-reliance.
• A whole-of-government review of e-security is underway.

The full speech is available here as are the other addresses at the Safeguarding Australia conference.

Whole-Of-Government Review of E-Security

A whole-of-government review of e-security has been announced. The review will assist the development of a national framework for securing Australia’s electronic networks.
 The Attorney General, Robert McClelland mentioned that the-security review is an opportunity to look at what help the Government can provide to develop a more secure and trusted electronic operating environment for both the public and private sectors. The review will also consider whether Commonwealth programs can be better focused to deal with the ever increasing range of online threats.
A multi-agency team, led by the Attorney-General’s Department, will conduct the review, which will be completed by the end of this year.
The Attorney-General's Department is to lead a review of the Australian Government’s e‑security policy, programs and capabilities, assisted by other agencies represented on the E‑Security Policy and Coordination Committee.  The review will take account of both the threat from electronic intrusions into Australian networks and the threat from complementary attacks on their physical, administrative or personnel security arrangements.
The purpose of the review is to develop a new Australian Government E-Security Framework in order to create a secure and trusted electronic operating environment for both the public and private sectors.
The review will:
1. Develop a new Australian Government policy framework for e-security, covering the span of e‑security issues across government, business and the community
2. Examine current programs, arrangements and agency capabilities and capacities that contribute to e-security, including:
a) Those being implemented by agencies under the E‑Security National Agenda
b) Incident response and crisis management arrangements for e-security, including the recommendations from Australia’s participation in Exercise Cyber Storm II, and
c) other relevant information and communications technologies (ICT) initiatives being undertaken by the Commonwealth and by state and territory governments to establish their suitability and effectiveness to achieve the policy objectives of the new Framework.
3. Address emerging e-security issues including:
a) Those resulting from technological change, including roll-out of the National Broadband Network, and
b) An increasingly hostile online security environment, which does not respect traditional jurisdictional boundaries
4. Consider opportunities provided by international cooperation, including engagement with similar economies and like-minded governments
5. Bring forward recommendations, prioritised in accordance with an assessment of risk, for consideration by Government to:
a) Tailor programs and agency capabilities and capacity to achieve the policy objectives of the new Framework
b) Address current and emerging threats, and
c) Determine how to measure the success of each approach
6. Principally focus on measures to be effective in the period to mid-2011, but also take into account longer term considerations, and
7. Consult with relevant stakeholders and experts in government, business, academia and the community.
The review is to be completed for Government consideration by October 2008.
An executive committee comprising senior representatives of the Attorney-General’s Department, the Defence Signals Directorate, ASIO, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Government Information Management Office will provide oversight of the Review.
Details of the review are available at: www.ag.gov.au/esecurityreview

Improvement of Major Disaster Rescue Response

The Rudd Government will provide $15 million dollars to police and emergency services to purchase equipment so they can better respond to disasters such as large scale building collapses or earthquakes, Attorney-General Robert McClelland announced today.
"This initiative will not only upgrade the equipment available nationally, but it will also ensure consistency of response if a major disaster, such as a building collapse or earthquake, took place in Australia," said Mr McClelland.

Mr McClelland said, "It will be held primarily by fire services in capital cities, ready for immediate deployment to an emergency site."

The contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the State and Territory Governments, bringing the total funding for the project to $30 million.

The State and Territory investment will ensure the necessary training is provided to fire and emergency services rescue personnel.

The grants have been made under the Urban Search and Rescue Capability Development Project, which is facilitated by Emergency Management Australia.

The release can be viewed in full here.

CSIRO to develop tracking system where GPS does not work

CSIRO is developing new wireless technologies for locating, tracking, sensing and communicating in areas where global positioning systems (GPS) do not work.
The new high-accuracy terrestrial localisation systems are suitable for applications such as tracking workers in emergency situations.
CSIRO has signed a $1 million collaboration to develop the technology for emergency purposes in conjunction with Emergency Management Australia (EMA), Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency and the National Security Science and Technology Branch within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The technology could prove an invaluable tool for Australian emergency service workers, especially when searching for injured or lost people in hazardous situations. It has the potential to save lives. This contract aims to pave the way for commercialisation of the technology for use in emergency management to start in about three years.

Australia may contribute counter-insurgency training for Pakistani

The Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, will be exploring with the Pakistan Government the provision of Australian counter-insurgency training. On 30 July 2008, the Minister stated that “The international community cannot sit back and allow Pakistan to become the new breeding ground for Al Qa’eda and JI. It appears likely that as the surge meets with success in Baghdad, the Jihadists are making their way to the tribal areas of Pakistan’s North West”. He noted that “And we must arm the Pakistani Army with the skills and means to conduct counterinsurgency campaigns and civil operations” Arrangements are being made to start discussions between Australian and Pakistani officials to investigate and gauge interest in a small advisory contribution, the Canberra Times reported.

Australian Youths Help Shape Global Online Safety

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has taken ten youths to London to be part of the world’s first congress aimed at giving youth a voice in how they are protected in the online environment.
The International Youth Advisory Congress (IYAC) was made up of 150 youths from around the globe to develop a strategy with law enforcement agencies worldwide to ensure online safety and security for youths.
The youth came face-to-face with those responsible for internet safety and security including representatives from government, industry, law enforcement and media.
A Children and Young People’s Global Online Charter will be developed by the youths and law enforcement agencies and will be presented at the World Congress III Against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents being held in Brazil in November. The ultimate outcome is an amendment of the United Nations Convention of the Right of the Child in 2009.
The congress, ran from 17-21 July in London, and was led by the United Kingdom Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre and is supported by the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT), of which the AFP is a member.

Extra AFP Personnel to Support East Timor

Two Australian Federal Police personnel have departed Australia for East Timor.
The Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus has said that starting with the deployment; the AFP will gradually build its contribution to 80 personnel with the Timor-Leste Police Development Program over the coming year.
The two members, a financial expert and a police adviser, will join 12 AFP members who are already working in East Timor with the TLPDP.
The AFP currently has 66 personnel in East Timor including the 12 working under the TLPDP, 50 working under the United Nations Mission, three members seconded to the Prosecutor General's taskforce and one member working within the Australian Embassy.
The TLPDP is a bilateral arrangement between the Australian Government and the Government of East Timor.

Recommendations contribute to ongoing reform of NSW Ambulance Service

The findings from a review into the performance of the Ambulance Service of NSW have been released.
NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said the review, conducted by Graeme Head, director of the Performance Review Unit in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, found the Ambulance Service "maintains a high standard of service against a backdrop of increasing demand".
She mentioned that the review reinforces the fact that demand for ambulance services has grown significantly more than population growth over the past few years, with an 8.69 per cent increase in the number of emergency incidents since 2005-06.
Key facts highlighted by the review include:

• There have been significant enhancements to both Ambulance Service staffing and fleet since 2004-05
• The Ambulance Service employs more than 3,700 staff in 291 locations across NSW
• 89.7 per cent of staff are engaged in frontline service delivery roles such as paramedics, doctors, nurses and emergency call-takers
• In 2006-07 the Ambulance Service provided more than one million responses
• 40 per cent of patients transported to emergency departments were in triage categories 4 or 5
• Overall demand for ambulance services has increased by 5.2 per cent since 2005-06
• The number of emergency incidents has increased by 8.69 per cent
• Compared to other Australian jurisdictions the Ambulance Service is relatively efficient.

Ms Meagher said one of the key findings of the review was the need to look at 'tiered' system which separates the emergency response of the Ambulance Service from non-emergency patient transportation.
The Government will consider the remaining recommendation, which relates to the transfer of Ambulance Service rescue function to the NSW Fire Brigade, in consultation with the stakeholders involved before a decision is made.
The Ambulance Service of NSW is finalising a detailed implementation plan to address the review's findings, including:

• the need for an ongoing public education campaign promoting appropriate use of ambulances
• a review of all policies and procedures relating to complaints handling, grievance handling and bullying
• updating the Code of Conduct to define and prohibit bullying and harassment by ambulance staff
• the introduction of mandatory training for all supervisors and managers in better complaint handling and grievance management.

A copy of the review can be found here.

Nuclear Security Treaty

Australia has adopted the strongest international standards for the security of nuclear material and facilities by ratifying an Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.
The instrument of ratification has been lodged with the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.
The Convention sets out arrangements and standards for the security of nuclear material in international transport.
The Amendment aims to substantially strengthen security requirements for nuclear material and extends the existing provisions of the Convention to cover nuclear facilities and nuclear material in domestic use, storage and transport.
It also requires nations which are party to the Convention to criminalise the trafficking of nuclear material and the sabotage of nuclear facilities.
Nations which are party to the Convention must apply thorough and systematic measures to protect their domestic nuclear activities against criminal or terrorist attack, and cooperate to locate and recover stolen or smuggled nuclear material, as well as mitigate any radiological consequences of sabotage.
The Australian Parliament enacted legislation to enable full legal compliance with the Amendment in 2007.
Of the 136 nations which are party to the Convention, Australia is the 17th to ratify the Amendment.

Events

Private Military Companies Forum in Australia’s Areas of Interest

Date: 19 August 2008
Location: Brindabella Forum Centre, Brindabella Business Park,
                Canberra International Airport
Cost: $480

For more details, or to view the brochure, click here.

 

 

 

Civil-Military Cooperation; Understanding the New Rudd Agenda

Date: 14- 15 October
Location: Brindabella Conference Centre, Brindabella Business Park,
                Canberra International Airport
Cost: $750 (2 day Registration)

For more details, click here.

2nd Australian Mental Health and Psychosocial Disaster Conference

Date: 21- 23 October
Location: Sebel and Citigate, King George Square, Brisbane
Cost: $550 (2 day standard fee)

For more information, or to view the event brochure, click here.

Invitation to join the 2008 Law Enforcement Mission to the US

Austrade invites businesses focused on the security and law enforcement sectors to participate in this mission, anchored around the Australian Pavilion at the 2008 International Association of Chiefs of Police (ICAP) show in San Diego, California. This is an ideal platform to access and meet targeted customers and potential partners in a large and fragmented market using Austrade's local industry knowledge and networks.
The mission will be conducted in five stages including optional in-market sessions in Washington DC and San Diego:

• Pre-travel preparatory program (Australia) Mission delegates will benefit from videoconferences and preparation sessions prior to travel including a structured program of briefings regarding the US market.
• Washington DC in-market Sessions (2 – 6 November 2008) Group sessions in-market with experts and optional targeted appointments with key influencers, potential customers and partners.
• 115th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference and Exposition, San Diego (7 – 12 November) Exhibit in the Australian pavilion, engage senior law enforcement officials, and participate in educational and keynote sessions.
• San Diego in-market Sessions (13 – 14 November 2008) Group sessions in-market with experts, and optional targeted appointments with key influencers, potential customers and partners.
• Post-Mission follow up Austrade will work with you on a follow-up plan to help capitalise on opportunities generated from the mission.

Apply before 8 August 2008

For further information about opportunities in this market and to apply for this mission visit www.austrade.gov.au/USLaw08 or contact:
Spiros Karamoutzos
Senior Industry Adviser Austrade Melbourne E
T +61 3 9648 3190
spiros.karamoutzos@austrade.gov.au
Date: November 2008
Location: Washington DC and San Diego

Defence White Paper Forum

Wednesday 6 August 2008, Blamey Theatre, Australian Defence College, 6.00pm to 9.00pm
In support of the Defence White Paper Community Consultation Program, the USI of the ACT, on behalf of the Royal United Services Institute of Australia (RUSI), will host a Forum on Wednesday 6 August 2008 with the theme “The Defence White Paper - Balancing Competing Demands”. The Forum, hosted by President of the USI of the ACT, Air Commodore Peter McDermott AM CSC RAAFAR, starts at 6.00pm in the Blamey Theatre, Australian Defence College (ADC), Weston Creek and finishes at 9.00pm.
Mr Stephen Loosley, Chair of the Community Consultation Panel, will provide a brief introduction, to be followed by Major General John Hartley AO Retd, RUSI National President, will deliver the Keynote Address. Each member of the panel - comprising Commodore Lee Cordner AM RAN (Retd), University of Wollongong; Major General Jim Molan (Retd), previously Commander ADC; Air Marshal Errol McCormack AO (Retd), previously Chief of Air Force; Major General Greg Melick AM, Head, Reserve and Employer Division, HQADF and Mr John McFarlane AE, Deputy President USI of ACT -  will then deliver short addresses. 
Members of the Panel will then be invited to discuss and debate issues amongst themselves for 30 minutes or so and then the audience will be invited to question the panellists and raise issues for comment by the panel. 
The Moderator will be Dr Ian Gardner, a Councillor of the USI of the ACT.
The record of proceedings will be transcribed and will be submitted as the contribution of RUSI/USI of the ACT to the Community Consultation process. 
There will be free bar snacks available at Weston Creek Mess from 5.00pm until just before 6.00pm. Coffee etc will be available thereafter adjacent to the Theatre and attendees are welcome to refresh themselves throughout the meeting. 
RSVP and for security purposes please notify Mrs Denise Thompson on 02 6266 3446 if you and any guests plan to attend.

Publications

ASPI Report- Security Architecture in Asia

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute has released a report the entitled ‘Tangled Webs, Security Architecture in Asia’ which addresses:

• Australia’s Dual Security Strategy
• Cooperative security/ competitive geometries
• Envisioning and implementing multilateralism
• Australia, multilateral security and future policy directions

The report can be found here.

Managing the Next Domestic Catastrophe: Ready (or Not)?

The US Center for Strategic and International Studies has released an article titled ‘Managing the Next Domestic Catastrophe’, in which analyses:

• America’s Under preparedness
• Problematic Government Relationships
• Anemic Implementation

The report can be found here.

ASPI Report - Asian Military Trends

The Australian Security Policy Institute has released a report entitled ‘Asian Military Trends’. The report addresses:

• Defence Spending
• The ASEAN
• Rising Powers-China and India, and
• ADF Capability

The report can be found here.

Food Security Assessment, 2007

The US Department of Agriculture has published a report on the food security situation of 70 developing countries. The report addresses:

• The regional and country perspectives on food security
• How food is assessed- Methods and definitions and;
• Global Diet Composition 

The report can be found here.

Wildfire Damages to Homes and Resources: Understanding Causes and Reducing Losses

The US Congressional Research Service report on wildfires addresses:

• The nature of wildfire
• Protection of structures from wildfires
• Protecting wildlands and resources
• Protecting natural resources and;
• Delays and Changes in Federal decision making

The report can be found here.

Terrorism Havens: Philippines 

The Council for Foreign Relations has released an article assessing the southern Philippines in relation to terrorist organisations in. It assess

• Whether the Philippines is a haven for terrorism
• Which terrorist groups are operating in the Philippines
• Whether Al- Qaeda is operational in the region
• Government policy toward the region, and
• The role of the United States in stabalising the region.

The article can be found here.

The Challenge of Protecting Mass Gatherings in a Post-9/11 World 

A video recording of the hearing before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, July 9, 2008 addresses the Challenge of Protecting Mass Gatherings in a Post-9/11 World.
A video recording of the hearing can be viewed here.

Project BioShield Annual Report to Congress, August 2006-July 2007 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a report stating its progress in implementing Project BioShield. HHS has used Project BioShield authorities to support, facilitate and expedite the research, development, acquisition and availability of medical countermeasures to respond to the adverse effects of public health emergencies involving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.
The Project BioShield Act of 2004 provided HHS with unique authorities to support the development and acquisition of medical countermeasures as part of a national strategic effort to prepare for threats to public health from chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear events. The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), enacted in December 2006, provided additional authorities to support advanced development of medical countermeasures, including Project BioShield acquisitions. PAHPA also established the new offices of the ASPR and of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
The report can be found here.

Newsletter of the Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security (CEPS)

The latest edition of the CEPS newsletter is at: http://ceps.edu.au/content/newsletter
All CEPS newsletters will be posted at the above address.

Call for papers – Bomb conference, Canberra, November

The Australian Chapters/Branches of the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI), the Institute of Explosives Engineers (IExpE) and the International Association of Counter Terrorism and Security Professionals (IACSP) are holding a joint conference in Canberra on 27 and 28 November 2008.
The theme of the Conference is "Protection from Explosive Events".
Papers are invited that support the Theme.  Papers may address: security, safety, policies and procedures, legal/regulatory, structural/design, equipment, techniques, intelligence, or other issues.
Presentations are programmed for 30 minutes including introductions and questions. It is yet to be decided if the proceedings will be published after the Conference.
Depending on the papers offered, parallel streams may be programmed. 
Offers to present papers should be forwarded to the Conference Coordinator, Don Williams at donwilliams@grapevine.net.au, no later than close of business Friday 22 August 2008.  The offer of a Paper should include:

• The topic and a brief summary of the planned content.
• A brief (100 word) biography of the author.
• An indication of who is expected to deliver the paper.

Questions can be addressed to the above e-mail or via 0402 138813.

New Australia Critical Infrastructure Protection journal

The School of Engineering, Edith Cowen University, is bringing out a new journal called Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Security which deals with critical infrastructure protection. The publishers are calling articles / abstracts / ideas for the first issue. The first issue is planned for release before the December SECAU Convention.
Articles and expression of interest should be sent to secau@scis.ecu.edu.au.