- Minister for Police and Emergency Services
The Andrews Labor Government is continuing to combat terrorist and lone wolf attacks and keep the community safe, with more investments for the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre and CBD security.
To ensure Victoria Police and other agencies have the specialist tools they need to help prevent serious incidents of mass violence, the Victorian Budget 2019/20 includes $2.8 million to maintain the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FTAC), while improving policing capability in counter-terrorism and security training.
The Budget also includes $19 million to support mental health clinicians at the centre and deliver extra specialised services to meet the needs of people who have been referred by the centre.
Specialist police are working closely with forensic and mental health experts at the FTAC to target high-risk persons who pose a serious threat to the Victorian community, so they can intervene early and prevent violence.
These individuals may have come to the attention of counter-terrorism police and other agencies because they may exhibit extremist ideology, show indicators of being radicalised or have extreme grievances.
The Budget continues to make the investments needed to make our city as safe as possible, with another
$2.5 million to be invested to help maintain and operate the CBD security improvements currently being rolled out - including the Bourke Street Mall upgrades, CCTV cameras and the public address system.
The public address and CCTV system upgrade is being rolled out across 95 locations, with most sites now fully installed and operational.
This builds on the Labor Government's $50 million investment in security upgrades around the city, including more than 100 permanent barriers and bollards.
A $5.4 million investment will also be made to build on our emergency alert warning systems, such as text message alerts during bushfires, to help keep Victorians safe, protecting lives and property.
As stated by Minister for Police Lisa Neville
"We're continuing to invest to improve the safety of the tens-of-thousands of people who visit Melbourne every day."
"We're working closely with Victoria Police to give them the tools and resources they need to prevent terrorist attacks and keep the community safe."
As stated by Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley
"The Fixated Threat Assessment Centre brings together police and mental health experts to target and respond to lone actors to ensure early intervention and treatment, and prevent potential tragedies."
