On 18 March, the Minister for Home Affairs chaired a national Ministerial Meeting on Counter-Terrorism (CT) and Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC). The meeting brought together State and Territory Ministers responsible for these matters to discuss national issues and initiatives, including TSOC National Priorities and national plans to combat cybercrime and ransomware.
Threat environment
Ministers were briefed on the terrorism and foreign interference threat environment. Ministers discussed progress towards an updated national counter-terrorism strategy and the importance of its timely release.
Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Prevention Strategies
Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to countering violent extremism (CVE), and agreed to continue to work together on measures to strengthen national CVE arrangements, including programs for early intervention.
National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program
Ministers noted the benefits of longitudinal monitoring of drug consumption through the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's (ACIC) waste water analysis and the opportunities that this intelligence provides to government, industry and academia about Australia's contemporary drug markets. The data, when merged with other intelligence, provides a powerful evidence base to inform coordinated, appropriate and timely supply, demand and harm reduction responses.
Expansion of the ACIC examiner capability
Ministers were briefed on the expansion of the ACIC examiner capability, including the appointment of three new full-time Examiners to join the existing Examiners at the ACIC and ensure national coverage, enhancing the agency's coercive powers capability. With the increased national reach and range of specialised skills sets bolstered by additional Examiners, the agency is able to continue increasing the pressure on criminal networks.
National Criminal Intelligence System update
Ministers were provided with an update on the National Criminal Intelligence System, which provides secure access to a national view of criminal intelligence and information, and supports the collation and sharing of criminal intelligence and information nationally.
TSOC National Strategic Priorities
Ministers endorsed the National Strategic Priorities, which together with the National Strategy to Fight Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime, provide a blueprint for coordinated and targeted responses to TSOC threats across all Australian governments.
National Consistency of Exclusion Orders for Casinos and Racing Venues
Ministers agreed to establish a cross-jurisdictional working group to further explore opportunities for nationally consistent legislation and enhanced reciprocal and information sharing arrangements for exclusion orders applicable to casino, gaming and racing environments. A greater collective focus on exclusion orders for casino, gaming and racing venues will enable law enforcement agencies to more effectively disrupt serious and organised crime using these venues for money laundering.
National Plan to Combat Cybercrime and Cybercrime Capability Fund
Ministers endorsed the National Plan to Combat Cybercrime, which sets out a framework for enhanced collaboration between Commonwealth, State and Territory partners to combat evolving cybercrime threats.
The Cybercrime Capability Fund has been established to support an uplift in national law enforcement capabilities and responses to the evolving threat of cybercrime, with funding of $30.9 million over three years. Ministers endorsed the expenditure of $10.3 million on 12 projects identified for funding in the first year of the Cybercrime Capability Fund, including specialist training activities, software procurement and technical capability development, operational collaboration on cybercrime, and enhanced victim support.
Regulatory and operational reforms and initiatives in relation to licences and illegal firearms
Ministers discussed regulatory and operational reforms and initiatives in relation to illegal firearms - including emerging technologies. Ministers acknowledged the need for ongoing cooperation and sharing of information through the Australian Firearms Information Network, and the value of national initiatives to address illicit firearms including the permanent national firearms amnesty and CrimeStoppers' National Illicit Firearms Campaign.
National responses to illicit tobacco
Ministers agreed to work together to consider opportunities to coordinate enhanced efforts to combat illicit tobacco, including in response to recommendations of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement (PJCLE) Inquiry into Illicit Tobacco.
Ministers agreed to reconvene in six months to review progress against the issues discussed and to consider collaborative approaches to other important national security issues.
* South Australia were not represented at the meeting as the SA Government is in Caretaker mode, with the state election occurring this Saturday, 19 March 2022
