Federal Budget 2016: Armed guards to protect police across Australia from terrorist attacks

HEAVILY armed security specialists will guard police buildings as part of radical new measures in ­the Budget to protect officers from terrorist attacks.

• BUDGET 2016: $14 BILLION TO GET NSW MOVING
• BUDGET: $1BN BACK-TO-BASICS TESTS FOR SCHOOLS
• BUSINESS LEADERS WANT BOLD BUDGET FROM SCO-MO

HEAVILY armed security specialists will guard police buildings around the country as part of radical new measures in ­tomorrow’s Budget to protect officers from terrorist attacks.

Security at Australian Federal Police buildings will also be ­upgraded in response to the heightened terrorist threat.

The move follows the cold-blooded murder of police staffer Curtis Cheng last October by an alleged Islamic State terror cell operating in Western Sydney.

Police Headquarters shooting victim Curtis Cheng / Supplied

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the government will announce a new $150 million security package in tomorrow’s Budget to protect the police who are charged with protecting us.

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter-Terrorism Michael Keenan said it was essential to mitigate the heightened threat of attack against law enforcement agencies.

“Our national security landscape has changed significantly and the government continues to meet those challenges by anticipating the threat from terrorism and responding to the nation’s security needs,” he said.

“Law enforcement agencies have become targets and their facilities and people need to be protected.

“This government will continue to invest in the protection of those who protect us, because our top priority is to keep Australia safe.”

With the elevated threat to police, a new legion of Protective Service Officers will be trained to defend the dozens of AFP and Australian Crime Commission buildings and their personnel.

The personal security of AFP officers will also be modernised with a study into developing “enhanced protective technical capabilities” for officers, including special firearms.

The government will announce a new $150 million security package in tomorrow’s Budget to protect the police who are charged with protecting us.

AFP sources were not keen to ­divulge details of the additional security measures being taken.

But The Daily Telegraph understands it will include fortress-style ­infrastructure for AFP and ACC buildings located in all capital cities.

Close Personal Protection officers are already used for senior officials.

Police have been the target of two terrorist attacks in Australia over the past 18 months.

In the first Islamic State-inspired attack, AFP and Victorian counter-terrorism officers were stabbed outside a Melbourne police station by a teen terrorist, who was shot dead.

And in October last year, NSW police worker Curtis Cheng was shot dead outside Parramatta police headquarters by another teen terrorist.