National Security

PROTECTiNG AUSTRALIA

The Government is investing in our national security to keep Australians secure and continue the fight against global terrorism

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITY

The Government will provide $450 million to strengthen Australia’s intelligence capabilities, including updating information technology systems and to counter extremist messaging.

This includes $131 million to help the telecommunications sector upgrade its systems to retain metadata for two years. Metadata is essential to most counter-terrorism investigations and for detecting and prosecuting other serious crimes.

Another $22 million will be used to combat terrorist propaganda and counter violent extremism, especially over the internet and social media.

SECURITY IN ACTION

Australia’s military personnel are part of the international coalition leading the fight against terrorism.

Defence funding of $31 billion in 2015-16 will build Australia’s forces and give them cutting edge technology and equipment.

There will be an extra $750 million to extend and expand Australia’s military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East.

Australia’s military personnel also play an important role in maintaining regional stability and security through international peacekeeping, humanitarian operations and disaster relief. Recent efforts include operations in Nepal and Vanuatu.

PREVENTION

New legislation will make it easier to stop Australians joining or supporting terrorist organisations and to prosecute those who do.

Additional funding for advanced technology and training will continue to ensure Australia’s border is secure.

Foreign fighters who have travelled to Syria and Iraq, and those who support them in Australia, are being monitored closely.

At home, Australia’s security and law enforcement agencies now have the resources and powers they need to give them the best chance of preventing attacks in Australia and on Australians.

COMMUNITY

Australia’s security agencies continue to work closely with community leaders throughout Australia to identify and divert people at risk of joining terrorist organisations.

The Government is improving our counter-terrorism capabilities in this region by expanding engagement with international law and justice agencies.

Australia’s security and law enforcement agencies are working closely together and across state and territory boundaries to ensure a safer Australia.

In recent months, we have increased our international liaison efforts to share knowledge and experience in combating the global threats we face.

Our investment, your security

The Government is investing more than $35 billion in 2015–16 on defence, national security and law enforcement.

This budget has an extra $1.2 billion in funding for national security to keep Australia safe and secure and continue the fight against global terrorism, of which $450 million will be used to strengthen intelligence capabilities, support the new metadata retention legislation, and counter extremist messaging.

Funding of $31 billion in 2015-16 will build Australia’s forces and give them cutting edge technology and equipment.

The Government is continuing to invest in the equipment we need to protect Australia: advanced fifth-generation Joint Strike Fighters; new patrol, surveillance and transport aircraft; new body armour and advanced technology to counter improvised explosive devices; and replacements for the ANZAC Class frigates and the Collins Class submarines.

The Government will always seek to buy the best available capability while maximising value for money. Our Naval Shipbuilding Plan will ensure that Australian industry is well placed to participate in the frigate and submarine replacement programmes.

The Government will announce further capability decisions in the Defence White Paper as part of our commitment to increase Defence funding to 2% of GDP by 2023–24.

Australia’s airports have been upgraded with biometric screening gates and counter-terrorism units in each major international airport.

The gains to Australia’s Border Force will continue through further specialist training to Australian Border Force officers, including in advanced investigative techniques.

Improved screening measures in Australia’s international airports will streamline passenger processing so that most people can pass through Australia’s border more easily, leaving Border Force officers free to focus on the small minority of travellers who are a security concern.

Sixty-three extra Australian Federal Police members are working in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra on the foreign fighter threat. With Australia’s other security agencies, they’ve arrested 22 people on seven counter-terrorism operations between September 2014 and April 2015.

The Government is helping people disengage from extremist activities. We are also combating online radicalisation with education programmes and by working with communities, industry and overseas partners. We are building Australia’s international partnerships as part of the global fight against terrorism.