Fighting terrorism at its source
Experience shows that one of the most effective ways to protect Australia from the threat of terrorism is to take the fight to the source, which is offshore.
Indonesia
The Jakarta Regional Cooperation Team (JRCT) has assisted the Indonesian National Police apprehend suspects of terrorist attacks, including the Bali bombings in 2002, the Australian Embassy bombing in 2004 and the Marriot Hotel bombing in 2005. The JRCT has supported the Indonesian National Police in the successful disruption of terrorist activities throughout Indonesia.
The AFP has been successful in the establishment of the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC). JCLEC’s key objective is to enhance the ability of regional law enforcement to deal with transnational crime, with a primary focus on counter-terrorism skills.
As at June 2009, 5000 participants have completed programs offered by JCLEC, including programs offered in Investigations Management, Criminal Intelligence, Forensics, Financial Investigations and Communications.
Philippines
The Manila Regional Cooperation Team (MRCT) has assisted the Philippines National Police investigate various terrorist incidents, including the Superferry 14 fire of February 2004, the General Santos City bombings of December 2004, and the multiple Valentine’s Day bombings of 14 February 2005.
The Australian Government has also significantly invested in a project to help law enforcement authorities in the Philippines develop capabilities in intelligence sharing, bomb investigation techniques, forensics and other skills particularly relevant in the fight against terrorism.
Rapid response
The AFP responds swiftly to requests for assistance from Asia-Pacific regional partners in areas including Disaster Victim Identification (DVI), crime scene forensics, post-bomb blast investigation, financial investigation, intelligence and technical support.
Examples of this include the Bali bombings in 2002, the Jakarta Embassy bombing and the Marriot Hotel bombing in 2005. The AFP deployed CT assets to Thailand to assist with the New Years Eve 2006 bombings and more recently, the AFP deployed an assessment team to Mumbai in response to the terrorist attacks of November 2008 to provide support to Consular operations.
Thailand
The AFP is working closely with the Royal Thai Police to assist in the establishment of a Bomb Data Centre in Thailand. This has been progressed with the deployment of forensic and bomb data specialists from the AFP. A counter terrorism liaison position has also been established in Thailand.
China
The AFP delivered the first offshore counter terrorism exercise in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Peoples’ Republic of China in April 2007. The exercise formed part of China’s preparations for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
The exercise has enhanced the already strong bilateral relationship between the AFP and MPS. Following this exercise, China has expressed interest in increasing interagency cooperation with the AFP in counter terrorism exercises and training.
Financing Terrorism
Money laundering is an important source of terrorist funding. Australia is a founding member of the 29-member Asia-Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering, formed in 1997 to help countries in the Asia-Pacific region enact laws which criminalise the laundering of the proceeds of crime, and dealing with mutual legal assistance, confiscation, forfeiture and extradition.
The APG also provides guidance for setting up systems to report and investigate suspicious transactions, and for the establishment of financial intelligence units.
Further information
- The International operations page has links to information about the Bali bombings and the Australian Embassy bombing.
- See also Fighting terrorism in Australia