EXTRA FUNDS FOR COUNTER-TERRORISM ARRANGEMENTS

The ACT Government will provide an additional $100,000 to implement protective security guidelines in ACT government agencies and to enhance the Government’s contribution to national counter-terrorism arrangements, Chief Minister and Attorney General Jon Stanhope said today.

The funding will supplement the $267,000 announced by the Government last year for the establishment of a Security Coordination Unit in the Department of Justice and Community Safety.  

“The Security Coordination Unit is now up and running,” Mr Stanhope said.  “Its main focus is coordinating the implementation of protective security guidelines for ACT government agencies; developing arrangements for the protection of critical infrastructure and implementing the Government’s contribution to national counter-terrorism arrangements, including the establishment of the Territory Crisis Centre.

“The changed national and international security environment means that all States and Territories need to develop and enhance protective security procedures for government agencies,” Mr Stanhope said.  “These include risk assessments and business continuity planning in the event of a major incident, as well as physical and information security measures.  The Security Coordination Unit will coordinate these procedures and help government agencies make the necessary changes.”

Mr Stanhope said the main focus of the States and Territories now was the identification and protection of critical infrastructure.

“This work will help ensure that all of the ACT’s essential services and facilities are protected to the greatest extent possible in the event of a security incident,” Mr Stanhope said.

“We are collaborating with Commonwealth Government agencies in Canberra to ensure a consistency of approach and the sharing of resources.

“This new allocation of funds to the Security Coordination Unit will assist significantly in the implementation of our protective security guidelines and with the progress of our counter terrorism arrangements.”
Statement ends