The Command Post
Global War on Terror
« Sandy Berger Probed in Terror Memos | Main | Hezbollah, IDF troops clash in north »
July 19, 2004
Australian Maritime Security Upgraded
From The Australian :
Australia's maritime security was being upgraded following an ASIO assessment which revealed terror groups such as al-Qaeda could attack maritime targets, Prime Minister John Howard said today.

Announcing the maritime security enhancements, Mr Howard said the number of containers subject to X-ray inspection by Customs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle would be increased.

As well, the number of ports covered by Customs closed circuit television would rise from 32 to 63.

Mr Howard said there would also be a further review of security arrangements for Australia's offshore oil and gas facilities by a new taskforce within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

He said the taskforce would consider Australian Government capabilities and protocols for intercepting ships at sea as well.
What's significant is not that some country stuck on the backside of the world is doing stuff like this, it's that all countries throughout the world are quietly doing likewise. Or should be.
Mr Howard acknowledged the hard work and commitment of the maritime industry in complying with an International Ship and Port Facility Security Code by the July 1 deadline.

He said 244 security plans covering Australia's ports, port facilities and ships were approved ahead of the deadline.

"As a result of this commitment, Australia's maritime security arrangements are amongst the best in the world," he said.

Posted by Alan Brain at July 19, 2004 10:30 PM | TrackBack
Comments

With Indonesia directly to the north, Australia is hardly the backside of the world wrt current terror threats.

Posted by: TBox [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 20, 2004 04:00 AM

Doing something that actually deals with a terrorism potential has a lot to be said for it.

I note with considerable interest that the Oz version of a Homeland Security department does not issue attack warnings monthly.

It seems they are more paying attention to what is important, and not merely doing more PR.

In contradistinction to what's happening here, where we continue to mostly wring hands about port and infrastructure security questions, rather than doing the work.

Good on ya, Oz! You're a shining example.

Posted by: Don [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 20, 2004 10:50 AM

Post a comment

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (Click here should you choose to sign out.)

As you post your comment, please mind our simple comment policy: we welcome all perspectives, but require that comments be both civil and respectful. We also ask that you avoid the extensive use of profanity, racist terms (neither of which we consider civil or respectful), and other boorish language.

We reserve the right to delete any comment, and to prohibit you from commenting on this site, if we feel you have broached this policy. As a courtesy, we will first send you an email noting a violation so you understand the boundaries. This will occur only once, however, and should we ban you from our comment forums we expect that ban to be permanent.

We also will frown upon those who suggest that we ban other individuals for voicing unpopular opinions, should those opinions be voiced in a civil and respectful manner. The point of our comment threads is to provide a forum for spirited though civil and respectful discourse … it is not to provide a forum in which everyone will agree with your point of view.

If you can live by these rules, welcome aboard. If not, then we’re sorry it didn’t work out, and thanks for visiting The Command Post.


Remember me?