NSW security environment
Current national security environment
Since the September 11 attacks in the United States, the level of counter terrorism alert in Australia has been set at medium. This means that a terrorist attack in Australia could occur.
In a number of places around the world, terrorist attacks resulting in the death or injury of Australians have occurred, and more are likely.
Australia has been identified as a terrorist target in public statements by terrorist spokespeople and through terrorist planning. There has been at least one aborted, disrupted or actual terrorist attack against Australian interests every year since 2000.
The main threat to Australia comes from Islamic terrorists. However, continuing statements by al–Qa'ida leaders and other Islamic extremists also resonate with individuals not otherwise associated with terrorist groups, who might be inspired to act. As a result, the terrorist threat to Australia will be an enduring one.
Even without actual attacks such as the events in London in July 2007, the persistence and pervasiveness of the terrorist threat affects the way in which ordinary people around the world go about their daily business.
The arrest in August 2006 of more than 20 people who were suspected of planning what would have been catastrophic terrorist attacks on US–bound airliners departing the UK represents another alarming development.
It is important to remember that it is not just Western countries and their citizens who are at threat from terrorism. On 11 July 2006, almost two hundred people were killed and several hundred more were injured in train bombings in Mumbai, India.
In South East Asia, Jemaah Islamiyah continues to represent a threat despite the success of counter terrorism efforts by regional authorities. Twenty people, including four Australians, were killed in the October 2005 bombings in Bali. Further attacks against Australians and Australian interests in Indonesia are likely as key Jemaah Islamiyah identities remain at large.
New South Wales security environment
New South Wales (NSW) features many of the characteristics that are attractive to contemporary terrorist organisations.
NSW is Australia’s most populous state with the largest economy comprising 33 per cent of the nation's GDP. The capital of NSW, Sydney, is the business hub of Australia and a leading financial centre in the Asia Pacific. Sydney is among the top locations in the world for quality of life and is consistently rated the world's best city.
Through the Olympic Games and hosting other major events such as the APEC forum in 2007, Sydney has developed a profile as a major international city. It also hosts a number of significant national icons such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney’s profile and imagery make it easily recognisable around the world.
These characteristics which make NSW among the most competitive business locations and popular tourist destinations in the Asia Pacific, also present specific security challenges.
The NSW Government has established a number of initiatives and strategies to counter terrorism in the state. These include the establishment of a Counter Terrorism & Special Tactics Command in the NSW Police Force, and the development of specific counter terrorism capabilities across a range of NSW government agencies. NSW continues to develop its response to the threat of terrorism based on a risk-based approach and threat information provided by intelligence agencies.
It is evident that there has been, and most likely continues to be, terrorism activity within NSW. This is evidenced by arrests and convictions of terrorism suspects such as Faheem Khalid Lodhi and Willie Bridgette. It is important to recognise that the threat of terrorism is real, and that in NSW we must continue to remain alert to suspicious activity.