Close operational cooperation across the Commonwealth, States and Territories, including through Joint Counter-Terrorism Teams (JCTTs) in each jurisdiction, has proven effective in detecting and disrupting acts of terrorism in Australia. Through COAG, States and Territories are also working together to We are everything possible to prevent strengthen identity management and protect individuals from radicalising towards violent identity use, and to improve the tracking of extremism. However, no matter how effective firearms and further restrict the movement our programmes are in this regard, some and use of illegal firearms. This work will people will still plan to commit an act of complement other activities to counter terrorism. Our law enforcement and terrorism. intelligence agencies are well-equipped to The lone actor challenge disrupt terrorists and have been successful in disrupting numerous terrorist plots to date. Lone actors operating on the periphery or independently of extremist networks are Protecting lives is our absolute priority. To save difficult for law enforcement and intelligence lives, agencies will prioritise early disruption of agencies to detect. The low capability required a planned attack over the gathering of for attacks a kitchen knife, for example evidence for a successful prosecution. This is – – means there may be little time between why those arrested can often be released violent extremists forming intent and then without charges shortly thereafter: police will committing an act of terrorism. always place public safety ahead of securing a successful prosecution. Developing disruption plans We can choose to disrupt activities of concern Intelligence and law enforcement agencies in a number of other ways. An option might be gather and assess the information needed to to send a message to individuals that their plan disruption activities. They identify activities have attracted the attention of individuals and networks radicalising, planning authorities, and that they are being monitored, attacks, supporting terrorist groups overseas in an attempt to dissuade them from further or seeking to participate in foreign conflicts. action. This may be done through suspending Agencies then assess the threats these payment of welfare claims where appropriate, individuals or groups pose to Australia’s preventing international travel due to security and may refer the case to the National nonpayment of tax, passport or visa Disruption Group a multi-agency law – cancellations. enforcement body so that a plan to disrupt – When more specific information is available, terrorist activities can be developed. agencies may also use other measures such as preventative detention and control orders to disrupt individuals.
We are everything possible to prevent individuals from radicalising towards violent extremism. However, no matter how effective our programmes are in this regard, some people will still plan to commit an act of terrorism. Our law enforcement and intelligence agencies are well-equipped to disrupt terrorists and have been successful in disrupting numerous terrorist plots to date. Protecting lives is our absolute priority. To save lives, agencies will prioritise early disruption of a planned attack over the gathering of evidence for a successful prosecution. This is why those arrested can often be released without charges shortly thereafter: police will always place public safety ahead of securing a successful prosecution. We can choose to disrupt activities of concern in a number of other ways. An option might be to send a message to individuals that their activities have attracted the attention of authorities, and that they are being monitored, in an attempt to dissuade them from further action. This may be done through suspending payment of welfare claims where appropriate, preventing international travel due to nonpayment of tax, passport or visa cancellations. When more specific information is available, agencies may also use other measures such as preventative detention and control orders to disrupt individuals. Close operational cooperation across the Commonwealth, States and Territories, including through Joint Counter-Terrorism Teams (JCTTs) in each jurisdiction, has proven effective in detecting and disrupting acts of terrorism in Australia. Through COAG, States and Territories are also working together to strengthen identity management and protect identity use, and to improve the tracking of firearms and further restrict the movement and use of illegal firearms. This work will complement other activities to counter terrorism. The lone actor challenge Lone actors operating on the periphery or independently of extremist networks are difficult for law enforcement and intelligence agencies to detect. The low capability required for attacks – a kitchen knife, for example – means there may be little time between violent extremists forming intent and then committing an act of terrorism. Developing disruption plans Intelligence and law enforcement agencies gather and assess the information needed to plan disruption activities. They identify individuals and networks radicalising, planning attacks, supporting terrorist groups overseas or seeking to participate in foreign conflicts. Agencies then assess the threats these individuals or groups pose to Australia’s security and may refer the case to the National Disruption Group – a multi-agency law enforcement body – so that a plan to disrupt terrorist activities can be developed.
Australias-Counter-Terrorism-Strategy-2015.docx