As terrorism crosses state, national and international boundaries, Australia takes a national approach to countering terrorism.

National arrangements

The overarching mandate for counter terrorism arrangements in Australia are outlined in the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Counter Terrorism and accompanying the National Counter Terrorism Plan. The National Counter Terrorism Plan details responsibilities, authorities and the mechanisms to prepare, prevent, respond and recover from acts of terrorism and their consequences within Australia.

The Australia-New Zealand Counter Terrorism Committee coordinates national counter terrorism arrangements, ensuring that all governments and relevant agencies in Australia work together to share intelligence and information. It relies on strong cooperative, coordinated and consultative relationships among the Australian, state and territory governments, departments and agencies and with their international counterparts. NSW has two representatives on this committee:

• Deputy Secretary, Social Policy, Department of Premier and Cabinet
• Deputy Commissioner, Specialist Operations, NSW Police Force

NSW arrangements

In NSW the Cabinet Standing Committee on Counter Terrorism, Emergency Management and Community Safety, chaired by the Premier, oversees the development and maintenance of NSW counter terrorism preparedness. The Committee is supported by the State Counter Terrorism Committee, chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The State Counter Terrorism Committee maintains the NSW Counter Terrorism Plan which contains the arrangements and agency responsibilities.

NSW Police Force

The NSW Police Force has operational responsibility for responding to terrorism incidents in NSW. Strategic policy direction is provided by the Premier and Ministers assisted by senior officials, including representatives of the relevant emergency management agencies.