Budget 2017: Commonwealth Games security set for $34 million security boost

THE military will be deployed to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games to provide millions of dollars worth of ‘niche capability’.

THE military will be deployed to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games to provide more than $34 million in “niche capability” including rapid ready response squads, bomb detectors, offshore patrols and surveillance.

The Federal Government yesterday committed an additional $34.2 million specifically for security support to assist Queensland authorities.

“Defence support is a critical component for the security framework required to deliver a safe and secure environment for the Games,” Defence Minister Marise Payne said yesterday in announcing her Budget.

The Senator declined to detail what exactly was to be provided for what she described as a niche military capability but Defence officials said it is understood to be similar to that provided for the Sydney 2000 Games and other major international events like APEC and include Black Hawk helicopter patrols and deployment troops on standby and offshore patrols to protect the waterways and add capacity to Queensland Police.