Australian Government on Terrorism & Iraq
<Police on Terror>
Following the Bali bombing and our involvement in the Iraq war we wanted to know what Perth's counter-terrorism response plan might be. We directed some questions to the WA Police Minister's Office.

>What role does the police play to counter terrorism in Australia at a Federal level?
The Protective Security Coordination Centre, which is part of the Federal Attorney General's Department, is responsible for the coordination of national terrorism operational arrangements and programs, coordination of federal protective security policy and maintaining a 24-hour Watch Office.

>What role do the Police play to counter terrorism in Western Australia?
The WA Police Service, as one of Australia's law enforcement agencies, forms an integral part of the country's national Counter Terrorism Arrangements. The WA Police Service's State Protection Services play a lead role in counter terrorism and includes the State Security Unit and Tactical Response Group. The State Security Unit works closely with ASIO, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Defence Forces and whole of government coordination.

>Is there a specialist group in the Federal Police Force dedicated to counter terrorism?
The AFP's new weapon in the fight against terrorism, the Transnational Crime Coordination Centre, operates out of AFP Headquarters in Canberra. The Centre provides national and international law enforcement agencies with a 24-hour focal point of contact, collaborating with national and overseas law enforcement counterparts in the prevention, identification, and dismantling of all forms of transnational crime. Areas of investigation will include terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, people smuggling, hi-tech crime and proceeds of crime/money laundering financial investigations.

>What are the issues that the WA government as a whole is currently addressing to counter terrorism?
Critical infrastructure protection; prevention; protection; response and recovery

>What is the Federal Government's position on Australia's role in the Iraq conflict?
Refer to Prime Minister's web site- www.pm.gov.au

-Answers provided courtesy of WA Police Minister press secretary Mark Thompson

Australian Government on Terrorism & Iraq
<Howard on Iraq>
Prime Minister, John Howard spoke about Australia's position on Iraq at a United Nations press conference on May 5, 2003.

We have to all recognise the reality of the position in Iraq. There is a desire on the part of Australia, as part of the coalition, to see the restoration of basic services and great progress is being made already in relation to that. We want to see the affairs of Iraq handed back to the Iraqi people as soon as practicable. We want to see the emergence of a free and open Government which is responsive to the wishes of the people of Iraq, and I think all of the efforts of the world community should be directed towards that.

During the transitional phase, we will be leaving something in the order of 1,000 to 1,200 defence personnel in the area. Just how long they will stay there will be a matter for us to assess from time to time.

We made it clear from the very beginning that if we were to make a military contribution, it will be a military contribution during the conflict phase and we have done that, and they have done our country very proud in the work that they have done and the high skill and professionalism they have brought to their contribution.

-Extract from www.pm.gov.au