Queensland Government Counter-Terrorism Strategy for rising threat level in Australia, implementing plan and Hi-tech technology requirements

The last Queensland Government counter-terrorism strategy was released in 2013 and the Opposition believes it needs to be updated on current threat levels. In January, NSW announced its first-ever minister for counter terrorism. All States and territories under current laws only allow for a detention of a suspect for up to 14 days. The proposed changes by the LNP in Queensland will be an Australian first allowing the judiciary to grant orders for up to 28 days in custody.

The Queensland counter-terrorism framework is aligned to the National arrangements and is driven by this Strategy and the Queensland Counter-Terrorism Plan. The Strategy sets the strategic direction for the future while the Plan maintains current arrangements.

“In the 2017-18 State Budget, the Palaszczuk Government announced it would invest $46.7 million over three years for a world-class weapons and counter-terrorism facility at Wacol for the Queensland Police.

“The new counter-terrorism facility will include indoor firearms ranges, a scenario village, and specialist training areas to increase the capability in managing terrorism and other critical incidents.  “This facility will be co-located with the police driving skills section to enhance training on the growing issue of vehicle attacks, such as those recently seen interstate and overseas.”

Mr Ryan said the 2016-17 Budget handed down $16 million over four years to boost surveillance capabilities and to fund labour costs to enhance intelligence analysis, dedicated online investigation and counter-terrorism teams, improved counter-terrorism technical support, and to fund counter-terrorism training. “This includes world-leading courses in behavioural observation and suspicious activity recognition, and active armed offender training.”