Budget 2017: Massive cash injection to help AFP fight against terror, violent crime
The Turnbull government will set aside $321m in the Budget to fund the fight against organised crime gangs, drug syndicates and terrorists.
NSW
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A MASSIVE $321 million boost to the Australian Federal Police budget will mean 300 extra covert intelligence operators and forensic specialists to help protect Australians from the threat of terrorism.
The government says crime gangs, drug syndicates and even fraudsters will be caught quicker too thanks to the cash splash.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will today announce the biggest injection of funds to the AFP in a decade.
The $321 million Budget announcement over four years will pay for an extra 100 intelligence experts, 11 tactical response and covert surveillance operators and almost 100 forensic specialists.
It will also help provide specialist bomb response technicians and dogs trained in detecting drug, cash and explosives.
Mr Turnbull said the two most pressing national security issues were North Korea and “the continued battle to destroy the terrorists in the Middle East and indeed, around the world”.
“This struggle against terrorism ... is of vital importance for our safety at home in Australia,” Mr Turnbull told The Daily Telegraph.
Stepping up covert operations, the funding will help pay for physical surveillance teams, covert online investigators and police technical teams.
The AFP will also hire more officers who specialise in digital forensics, crime scene investigators, firearms and armoury and biometric experts.
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter Terrorism, Michael Keenan, will say that this is the first step in a 10-year plan to deliver a new vision for the AFP’s long-term priorities.
The scheme will ensure the AFP has the tools, skills, training and capabilities needed to protect Australians.
“The additional experts will fast-track investigations and lock up criminals sooner, targeting areas of priority including terrorism, criminal gangs, drugs, organised crime, cybercrime, fraud and anti-corruption,” Mr Keenan said.
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It comes as the Prime Minister met with United States’ senior intelligence figures who warned of the challenge of protecting the western world from terrorism.
One major current issue was extremists using encrypted apps to plot attacks. Mr Turnbull and Mr Keenan will visit the AFP’s Majura facility today to make the announcement regarding the additional funding.
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