Meeting the Security Challenges of the 21st Century
~Budget08-09stackedp/$FILE/Budget+2008-09+stackedp.gif)
Media release
13 May 2008
The Rudd Government will help Australia and our regional partners meet the security challenges of the 21st Century with more than $460 million additional funding over five years for a range of initiatives including policing, critical infrastructure protection and disaster mitigation.
Attorney-General Robert McClelland said, “This year’s Budget provides a $400 million package aimed at making Australia and our international friends more secure. It includes funding for the expansion of the Australian Federal Police in areas such as international deployments and capacity development.”
$191.9 million has been allocated so an additional 500 Australian Federal Police officers can be sworn in over the next five years to help tackle domestic and transnational crime.
Pacific countries will be supported with funding of an $80.1 million package to build better policing strategies. Funding of an additional $53.7 million over two years will help develop a more effective and accountable police service for the people of East Timor.
The AFP will receive funding of $47.0 million to deploy additional sworn members to assist in capacity building and narcotic roles in Afghanistan. Funding of $13.7 million will support the Iraqi Police Service with the training provision for up to 243 Iraqi Police Service members.
“Through increasing AFP numbers and supporting our international friends in their policing efforts, Australia is pulling its weight in the fight against terrorism and transnational crime,” Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus said.
Australia's port security and border protection capabilities will be strengthened by $16.0 million over the next four years to increase its container examination capacity at four key regional seaports. Funding will be provided to assist in the identification and interception of illegal and potentially dangerous goods.
The Rudd Government will also help Australian communities become more resilient to threats and disasters with the provision of $42.6 million for critical infrastructure protection and disaster mitigation.
Emergency Management Australia’s Natural Disaster Mitigation Program will receive $19.2 million in the next twelve months to help States, Territories and local councils prepare for disasters. This program provides an excellent opportunity for all levels of government, working in partnership, to reduce the toll that natural disasters wreak on Australia’s communities.
“The floods in Queensland and New South Wales earlier this year were timely reminders of how important it is for governments to invest in mitigation efforts. Early preparation not only helps prevent unnecessary damage, but also ensures local communities get back on their feet quickly after a disaster,” Mr McClelland said.
Eligible projects for this funding include structural works to protect against damage, disaster warning systems, permanent fire breaks, land and building purchase schemes in high-risk areas as well as natural disaster risk management studies and strategies.
Australia’s critical infrastructure will also be better protected with the Government providing $23.4 million over four years for a cutting-edge Critical Infrastructure Protection Modelling and Analysis (CIPMA) capability. The Budget also allocates funding to maintain the Trusted Information Sharing Network (TISN) for Critical Infrastructure Protection.
CIPMA is a world-leading computer program enabling sophisticated modelling to be undertaken of the consequences of different disasters and threats, to ensure better preparation and more effective responses. The Australian community will benefit as essential services such as electricity, gas, water, health and banking become more resilient.
Nearly $25.0 million will also be provided over the next year on a range of existing services that support Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory in areas of personal and community safety, Indigenous legal aid, interpreter services and intelligence services.
This demonstrates the Rudd Government’s strong commitment to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians and their communities.
The package includes funding of $17.7 million to enable the continued operation of night patrol services in the 73 communities identified as part of the Northern Territory Emergency Response, building on earlier initiatives.
“These patrols are effective safety and crime prevention measures for the community. They also help reduce contact with the criminal justice system and empower Indigenous people to take charge of their own communities,” Mr Debus said.
The Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity will receive an additional $7.5 million over four years to enable the Commission to make more timely assessments of the information it receives about potential corruption.
The Australian Crime Commission will receive a further $4.2 million to continue the work of the National Indigenous Violence and Child Abuse Intelligence Task Force.
Indigenous legal aid services will receive $2.0 million to help Indigenous communities access legal advice for issues arising out of the intervention.
Media Contacts:
Adam Sims (Mr McClelland’s office) (02) 6277 7300, 0419 480 224
Samantha Wills (Mr Debus’ office) (02) 6277 7290, 0448 721 372