Counter-Terrorism Summit for Property CEOs
Security Environment
25 November 2005
Thank you Mr Chairman.
In his comments just now the Attorney-General referred to the fact that Australian interests here and abroad have been part of al-Qa'ida's strategic vision for some years. That situation has not changed, nor is it likely to change for some time.
By way of elaboration, in our Report to Parliament for 2004-05 we noted that Australian interests were the target of terrorist attacks in Jakarta in September 2004 and in Baghdad in January 2005. In the same period statements by al-Qa'ida leaders Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi and Ayman al-Zawahiri and by Abu Bakar Ba'asyir in Indonesia specifically named Australia as a target.
In the last few months Australians were injured or killed in the 7 July attacks in London and the 1 October attacks in Bali.
And Australians have previously been caught up in terrorist attacks directed at others, including the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States and attacks in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey.
People here have been charged with terrorism-related offences, including in connection with planning for terrorist attacks in Australia, including:
Australian Muslim convert Jack Roche is currently serving a prison term after he was convicted on charges related to planning a terrorist attack against Israeli diplomatic premises in Sydney and Canberra.
Willy Brigitte remains in French custody and a number of his Australian associates are subject to legal proceedings on terrorism-related charges.
Sydney-based Belal Khazaal has been twice convicted on terrorism- related charges in Lebanon, and is facing terrorism-related charges in Australia.
Notwithstanding that intelligence and law enforcement agencies have detected and disrupted planning for attacks in Australia, ASIO continues to assess that a terrorist attack in Australia is feasible and could well occur, possibly without warning.
Against this background I put it to you that we continue to face three broad scenarios:
First, a terrorist team could enter Australia undetected and might or might not seek local support to carry out an attack.
To counter this threat ASIO works with other government agencies involved in border control to reduce the likelihood of terrorists and other people of security interest gaining entry to Australia.
In part, in 2004-05 this involved over 52 000 visa security assessments which resulted in ASIO recommending against the entry of 12 individuals assessed to be a threat to security.
Second, home-grown extremists could bring in specific expertise.
as may have happened with Willy Brigitte;
Third, home-grown extremists could mount an attack on their own.
We know there are people in Australia who have trained with al-Qa'ida and other terrorist groups.
There are likely to be others who have not come to our notice, who may or may not have trained but who have the knowledge, skills and motivation to conduct an attack.
While the range of potential terrorist targets is limited only by the imagination and creativity of those who seek to mount such attacks, in reality the logistics of mounting large-scale, highly complex terrorist attacks have become more difficult.
A repeat of the 11 September 2001 attacks involving multiple aircraft hijackings hopefully would be more difficult to execute now in most Western countries given the tightening of aviation security practices and procedures.
Similarly, attacks against military or diplomatic targets are generally now more difficult as enhanced physical security measures and security practices reduce the chances of success.
This is not to say that ongoing vigilance and sensible and appropriate security measures and practices should not continue to be implemented.
For example, so far ASIO has completed over 100,000 security checks on Aviation Security Identity Card (ASIC) holders, about 12,000 pilots and trainee pilots, around 14,000 people associated with the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, and 3000 people requiring access to ammonium nitrate.
ASIO will, of course, continue to conduct counter-terrorism security checks as required.
Yet, as we saw in London and Sharm el Sheikh in July, Bali and New Delhi in October, Amman on 9 November and of course in Israel over many years to name a few recent examples, it is possible to mount effective terrorist attacks - particularly suicide attacks - using home-made explosives constructed from readily available material.
Such attacks, directed at civilian targets (trains, buses, hotels, restaurants, shopping centres and the like) - not just national symbols such as embassies, warships, or major economic targets - result in indiscriminate injury and death and bring the threat closer to ordinary people, particularly where they are gathered in large numbers.
As part of its threat assessment role, ASIO is working through a series of threat assessments on places used for mass gatherings, including:
Shopping centres, office buildings and hotels;
Sporting and cultural facilities;
Educational institutions; and
National icons, tourist, entertainment facilities and special events.
Such assessments, which are based on rigorous analysis of intelligence as well as close engagement and consultation with relevant private sector entities, form the basis of specific ASIO advice to government and law enforcement agencies. This work flows through to information and advice to private sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure.
ASIO also contributes to broader government initiatives aimed at protecting critical infrastructure and places used for mass gatherings.
ASIO's recently created Business Liaison Unit, developed in response to business's need for better communication with the Australian Government, will greatly assist the flow of information between ASIO and parts of the private sector:
The BLU will assist owners and operators of critical infrastructure and other relevant members of the business community to gain access to timely information on matters affecting the security of the assets and staff for which they are responsible.
Dissemination of information will be an ongoing process that will incorporate liaison and briefings to Australian industrial and commercial entities.
While the creation of the BLU will enhance ASIO's engagement with the business community I should emphasize that ASIO has productive and cooperative relationships with a wide cross-section of the business community, and has done so for many years.
When ASIO has sought assistance from the business community to progress investigations, businesses have responded positively and responsibly.
As I'm sure you will agree, the vast majority of business customers are law-abiding people whose activities are of no interest or concern to ASIO or law enforcement agencies.
Unfortunately those who are intent on doing harm may also be customers of businesses and may leave a 'footprint', if you will, in the data holdings of a range of businesses.
Such data, legitimately accessed by intelligence and law enforcement agencies and properly considered and assessed against the background of other intelligence information could assist in the prevention of a terrorist act.
Elements of the Anti-terrorism Bill 2005 are directed at providing an appropriate legislative basis for intelligence and law enforcement agencies to obtain such data in the context of terrorism-related investigations, including in connection with:
terrorist finances; and
operators of aircraft and maritime vessels.
Certainly, elements of the Bill directed at the investigation of terrorist finances, place new or greater requirements on a range of financial institutions and related businesses to collect identifying details of individuals using their services.
From a security intelligence perspective, the provisions are an important component of a broader strategy to identify those individuals who are seeking to operate in a clandestine and deceptive manner with the intention of doing harm to others.
We should not lose sight of the intention of the bill (which is to identify would-be terrorists before they have a chance to act).
The enhanced capabilities that the proposed laws will provide to intelligence and law enforcement agencies will assist them in protecting Australians and Australian interests.
Let me conclude by saying that, although action by intelligence, law enforcement and other agencies may have caused some disruption, there is no indication that the problem of terrorism is abating.
The challenge for all of us - governments, agencies, businesses and communities - is to ensure our perception and characterisation of the threat remains realistic and appropriate and that we shape our response to the threat in ways that are measured, determined and appropriate.