National Security

Civilian departments 'under resourced' and 'under prepared' for national security roles

21st March, 2011 by Ernie Davitt | ASM Jan-Feb 2011
The Federal Government is still digesting the thrust of a recent report which says that compared with Defence, the civilian departments involved in national security are under-resourced and administratively under-prepared for the roles that they are now expected to perform.
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News: Attorney General's address to Senior Executive Course at National Security College Canberra

11th March, 2011
Attorney-General Robert McClelland addressed Senior Executive Development Course members at the National Security College at a dinner held on 10 March 2011.
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News: Jason Brown awarded Australian Security Medal

11th March, 2011
Jason Brown, National Security Director for Thales in Australia and SRVP Group 20, has been awarded the Australian Security Medal for his contribution to the industry and the wider community throughout his career.
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News: National Security Cooperation Legislation passed

2nd March, 2011
Attorney-General Robert McClelland has welcomed the passage through Parliament of legislation to enhance cooperation, assistance and information sharing between Australia's security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Judy Hinz, Online Editor
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News: Critical Infrastructure Resilience Conference: Speech and Book Launch

9th January, 2011
Attorney-General Robert McClelland opened the inaugural Critical Infrastructure Resilience Conference in Sydney on 9 December and launched 'The Insider Threat to Business – A Personnel Security Handbook'.
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News: Chemicals: New code of practice to reduce security risk

9th January, 2011
1 December 2010: Attorney-General Robert McClelland and the Plastics and Chemicals Industry Association (PACIA) launched a new industry code of practice to reduce the security risk posed by certain chemicals.
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News: Parliament: National Security Legislation passes

9th January, 2011
15 November 2010: Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, welcomed the passage of The National Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 through the Parliament.
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Financing of Terrorism: Risks to Australia

9th January, 2011 by Ernie Davitt | ASM | Nov-Dec 2010
Terrorism financing remains a significant security risk for Australia and the rest of the world, with evidence that many terror groups, including the Taliban and other insurgents in Afghanistan are now better organised and equipped than ever.
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More holistic approach needed to National Security

23rd December, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM Nov-Dec 2010
One of the biggest challenges facing the new Gillard Federal Labor Government is to continue the evolution towards a more cohesive whole-of-government approach to national security policy development, budgeting and procurement.
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News: ASIO Annual Report 2009-2010 tabled in Parliament

25th October, 2010
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, has welcomed the tabling of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation's (ASIO) Report to Parliament 2009-10. by Judy Hinz, Online Editor
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News: Raytheon Australia launches security solutions business

18th October, 2010
Raytheon Australia's newest business unit, Raytheon Australia Security Solutions, was officially opened last week by Lynn Dugle, vice president, Raytheon Company and president, Intelligence and Information Systems (IIS).
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News: Defence Bases Security Bill reintroduced

10th October, 2010
The Minister for Defence Stephen Smith has reintroduced into Parliament a Bill to enhance security at Defence bases across Australia. The Bill, previously introduced in June, lapsed when the Federal election was called.
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Government launches Single Security Vetting agency

4th October, 2010 by Judy Hinz | Online Editor
Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Penny Wong today announced the launch of the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) - a single, centralised agency for Commonwealth security checks.
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Mandatory training to create new national security culture

29th September, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM Sep-Oct 2010
The Federal Government is making landmark changes to the way it responds to national security threats and hazards, including terrorism, with an emphasis on mandatory higher-degree professional training for operators and policymakers, and greater connectivity between agencies.
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Illicit drugs the main profit source for organised crime

29th September, 2010 by ernie Davitt | ASM Sep-Oct 2010
Australia’s criminal intelligence agency, the Australian Crime Commission (ACC), has painted a chilling picture of the illegal drug scene in Australia and its links to organised crime.
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Outwitting the outlaws

2nd September, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM July-Aug 2010
Australia’s national criminal intelligence agency, the Australian Crime Commission (ACC), is playing a stronger role in trying to outsmart criminals, as Ernie Davitt writes.
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Audit makes case for workplace relations education

2nd September, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM July-Aug 2010
Security firms around Australia face ongoing scrutiny following the Australian Fair Work Ombudsman’s decision to fine a number of security companies hundreds of thousands of dollars for underpaying their staff.
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2010-2011 Budget: National security one of few Budget winners

19th August, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM July-Aug 2010
National security and law enforcement were among the few winners in the Labor Government’s steady-as-you-go, self-styled ‘fiscally responsible’ 2010-11 Federal Budget. Ernie Davitt reports.
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Planning for food security

19th August, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM July-Aug 2010
With global consumption of food predicted to double by 2050, food security and protecting the food supply chain are shaping up as the next big issues on the global and national security agendas.
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Anti-skimming task force formed

27th June, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM May-June 2010
NSW Police have formed a special strike force to combat an upsurge in credit card fraud focusing on ‘skimming’, which saw one operation steal over $50 million from customer accounts earlier this year.
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New body to review terrorism and national security laws

27th June, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM May-June 2010
The Federal Government has set up an independent monitor to oversee Australia’s counter-terrorism and national security laws.
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New cyber security centre has job ahead of it

27th June, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM May-June 2010
The Government’s new multi-agency Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) is now up and running, gathering intelligence and recommending ways to combat attacks on critical computer networks.
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Counter-Terrorism White Paper: No surprises in new paper

7th June, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM May-June 2010
There’s good news with fresh investment in the high end of the Australian security industry, but despite a tweaking of counter-terrorism (CT) strategy, there were no real surprises in the thrust of the Federal Government’s new Counter-Terrorism White Paper.
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CT White Paper opens doors

7th June, 2010 by Graeme Mickelberg | ASM | May-June 2010
In the wake of the release of the new Counter-Terrorism White Paper, Graeme Mickelberg looks at the potential opportunities for Australian businesses.
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Filtering laws set for failure

21st April, 2010 by ernie Davitt | ASM Mar-Apr 2010
A group of Australian technology experts says the Government’s proposed internet censorship will not be effective.
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2010: A year of change for the private security industry

7th April, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM Jan-Feb 2010
Major changes are in the pipeline to help clean up the private security industry in Australia in 2010, with an emphasis on reform of licensing systems, upgraded training standards and a new focus on the technical side of the industry.
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Crackdown on fraudsters: tougher penalties

7th April, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM Jan-Feb 2010
Despite considerable effort by governments to educate the community about online and other consumer fraud, hundreds of people are still falling prey to criminals and tricksters.
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New laws needed to prosecute invasion of privacy cases

7th April, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM Jan-Feb 2010
In the age of smart CCTV cameras and high-tech security snooping, a leading legal watchdog has called for a new uniform cause of action for serious invasion of privacy as part of national law reform.
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Defining the ‘critical’ and the ‘protection’ components of critical infrastructure protection

24th July, 2009 by Edith Cowan University | ASM | Jan-Feb 09
Western Australia’s Edith Cowan University (ECU) is actively supporting the initiative of the Attorney-General’s Department to identify what is ‘critical infrastructure’ in Australia and how this should be protected through its Security Science Department.
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Threat to thousands of coastal homes, infrastructure

24th July, 2009 by Ernie Davitt | ASM | Jan-Feb 2009
Australian emergency management planners and the insurance industry are digesting the latest predictions of the fallout from global warming, which suggest that the speed of climate change has been significantly underestimated. Ernie Davitt has the story.
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New Defence science facility to boost port security

26th January, 2009 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Nov-Dec
A new $8.5 million Defence research facility in Sydney is to play a major role in assessing security risks at Australia’s busiest seaports, including development of counter-terrorism measures.
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Stronger laws to combat aviation and maritime security

26th January, 2009 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Nov-Dec
The Federal Government has legislated new laws to strengthen Australia’s maritime and aviation security regimes against threats of terrorism and other criminal behaviour.
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Aviation security screening report being finalised

14th October, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Sep/Oct
The new External Advisory Group assisting the Rudd Labor Government in its review of security screening at the nation’s airports is expected to report before Christmas.
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$3m to help volunteers fight disasters

14th October, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Sep/Oct
The Federal Government has provided $3 million in funding grants to boost the recruitment, retention and training of volunteer organisations at the front line of emergency management.
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National criminal intelligence system coming

14th October, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Sep/Oct
Federal, State and Territory police are expected to have new technology in place next year which will allow instant exchange of information about criminals and suspects from around Australia.
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E-security Review prompted by cyber attacks

14th October, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Sep/Oct
The Federal Government’s whole-of-government review of e-security – prompted by intelligence community concerns about an upsurge in cyber attacks against government, business and community CIT systems – is expected to be completed by the end of October.
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Getting intelligence right

14th October, 2008 by Ian Wing | ASM | Sep/Oct 2008
In the wake of weaknesses exposed over Iraq’s WMDs, and the ongoing challenge of terrorism, Australian intelligence is about to undergo major reforms. Ian Wing has this report.
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Accelerated use of high tech at borders

14th October, 2008
Australia is likely to see accelerated use of high technology such as biometrics which will revolutionise border protection and passenger movements, particularly at airports.
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Research produces security technologies

14th October, 2008 by Jane Symonds | ASM | Sep/Oct 2008
The CSIRO’s Secure Australia program is having commercial success with its security technology research and development.
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Business urged to join fight against organised crime

14th October, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Sep-Oct
The global police agency, Interpol, is helping national police services combat the growing scourge of transnational crime.
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Seagoing patrol vessels strengthen police CT role

14th October, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Sep/Oct
State Police marine commands are being strengthened with bigger, high-tech ocean-going patrol boats to help counter terrorism and seaborne crime.
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Security 2008 delivers groundbreaking security solutions

14th October, 2008
More than 150 local and international exhibitors participated in the latest security expo at Security 2008, transforming the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre into a showcase for today’s security innovations.
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Aviation security faces vulnerability

13th October, 2008 by Doug Nancarrow, Editor | ABAP | ASM | Jun 2008
Australian aviation security is yet to be tested by a major threat on the scale of those seen in the US and UK. But as Doug Nancarrow reports, the industry must keep pace with increased security demands.
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Getting down to business: industry action needed for security innovation

13th October, 2008 by Chris Flaherty | ASM | Jun 2008
Dr Chris Flaherty catches up with Senator the Hon. Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research to talk about R&D, Innovation and the Australian security industry.
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High Priority Spending continues on National Security

28th September, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Editor | ASM | June
The Rudd Government has continued high-priority Federal spending across Australia’s national security agencies in its first national Budget, with a total of $5.3 billion allocated to the Attorney-General’s portfolio alone.
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New patrol boat and more aircraft for northern Australia

29th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Editor | ASM | July
Border and environmental protection, combating illegal foreign fishing and the fight against people smuggling in northern Australia have been strengthened with more aircraft and a new patrol vessel.
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Expanded seabed puts pressure on national security assessment

29th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Editor | ASM July/A
The recent UN decision confirming Australia's jurisdiction over the resources within an additional 2.5 million square kilometres of seabed will have a major impact on Australia's national energy security assessment, as Ernie Davitt writes.
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Exercises simulate terrorist prosecutions

29th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Editor | ASM July/A
The Australian Federal Police, ASIO and other members of the Australian intelligence community are taking part in regular exercises to simulate the investigation and prosecution of terrorism offences. Ernie Davitt has the story.
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National DNA database expanded

29th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Editor | ASM July/A
The national DNA database, used by police and law enforcement agencies to connect offenders with unsolved crimes, has now been expanded to about 400,000 DNA profiles obtained from human biological samples.
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Biometrics Challenges Security Industry in the 21st Century

18th August, 2008 by Dr Chris Flaherty | ASM | June 2008
Biometrics Security represents a new commercial model for Australia's security industry. What is Biometrics?
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Fundamental rethink needed on intelligence

17th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt | ASM | June 2008
One of the models being looked at in the Federal Government's Homeland Security review echoes the UK system under which most agencies come under a separate Ministry for Home Affairs.
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Homeland Security plans under review

13th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt | ASM | February 2008
National Affairs editor, Ernie Davitt reports that all eyes are on the new Australian Labor Government as its implements its national security policy.
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Border security upgrade under the microscope

13th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt | ASM | April 2008
National Affairs Editor, Ernie Davitt looks at the possibilities of the Rudd Government making budget cutbacks in border security.
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Security intelligence: countering espionage in the 21st century

13th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt | ASM | March 2008
ASIO has warned that espionage, including the area of IT and information security is alive and well in the new millennium. National Affairs Editor Ernie Davitt has the story.
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