Hosting a Safe and Secure APEC 2007

Hosting a Safe and Secure APEC 2007

The Australian Government confirmed its commitment to host a safe and secure Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2007 with the allocation of $70 million over four years for security-related purposes, together with $0.6 million for additional ongoing operating costs for armoured VIP limousines.

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said APEC will involve a series of meetings at the technical, academic, senior official and ministerial level and culminate in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Sydney in September 2007.

The funding will support the coordinated and whole-of-government security preparations for all APEC events already underway. This includes:

• $56.2 million to the Protective Security Coordination Centre (PSCC) for security costs associated with the hosting of APEC Leaders’ Week in Sydney in September 2007

• $4.0 million to the PSCC to purchase ten armoured VIP limousines and to manage the purchase, control and dispersal of other security assets acquired for APEC purposes and for additional ongoing operating costs

• $7.2 million to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to establish and train 22 firearms and explosives detector canine teams to conduct firearms and explosives searches at Leaders’ Week and preceding ministerial meetings, and

• $0.9 million to Emergency Management Australia (EMA) for the development of consequence management plans for an incident during APEC Leaders’ Week or any of the preceding ministerial meetings.

“APEC involves 18 official separate events, held over 100 days and spread throughout the States and Territories. It will be the largest and most complex dignitary protection event in Australia’s history,” Mr Ruddock said.

“Security planning will take into account the range of threats that APEC 2007 might face, including possible terrorist threats to attending dignitaries and the event itself as well as protest activity to disrupt some meetings.” he said.

Besides delivering concurrent dignitary protection for the leaders of the 21 APEC member economies, the security arrangements for APEC 2007 will need to account for approximately 10,000 delegates and many thousands of Australian residents.

“It will be important for us to deliver nationally consistent security arrangements to achieve effective security for each APEC 2007 event and particularly APEC Leaders’ Week,” Mr Ruddock said.

“Careful planning will provide effective security while minimising the impact on the host cities.”

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