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 the terrorist attacks, including the Bali bombings, and the Australian Embassy bombing in 2004. Most recently the JRCT assisted in the successful disruption of terrorist activities in Yogyakarta.
The AFP has been successful in the implementation and development of the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC). The Centre’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 2 May 2007, 1900 people have completed programs offered by JCLEC, including courses 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 AFP has also been involved in a multi-million dollar 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 and the Jakarta Embassy bombing. More recently the AFP deployed CT assets to Thailand to assist with the New Years Eve 2006 bombings.
Thailand
The AFP is working closely with the Royal Thai Police to assist in the establishment of a Thai Bomb Data Centre. This has been progressed with the deployment of forensic and bomb data specialists from the AFP. A counter terrorism liaison position has also been set up 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 MPS is the host agency for the AFP in China and will have the responsibility for coordination of law enforcement and security 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 exercises.
Financing Terrorism
Money laundering is an important source of terrorism 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.
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