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The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) held its 19th meeting on 13th April in Canberra. The Council, comprising the Prime Minister, Premiers, the Chief Ministers of the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory and the President of the Australian Local Government Association, had detailed discussions on significant areas of national interest. These included:
Critical infrastructure
In June 2005 COAG members agreed to prepare five-yearly infrastructure reports to provide an overview of existing infrastructure and a forward looking assessment of infrastructure demand and future needs. At the 13th April meeting COAG released each jurisdiction’s report, as well as a national overview. Importantly, the reports demonstrate that current and planned investments by governments and the private sector have increased markedly in recent years and that governments are working constructively through COAG to develop national policy, planning and regulatory frameworks to meet Australia’s future infrastructure challenges.
Human Influenza pandemic prevention and preparedness
COAG agreed to a series of national desktop exercises to test further national preparedness to respond to an influenza pandemic.
Counter-terrorism
COAG has agreed to a National CBRN Security Strategy, to provide a framework to strengthen and enhance Australia's existing national counter-terrorism arrangements for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear security. In addressing the threat of biological and radiological materials being used for the purpose of terrorism, COAG also agreed to the establishment of a national regulatory scheme for biological agents of security concern as well as arrangements to regulate the secure storage, possession, use and transport of certain radiological materials to minimise the risk that such material can be misused by terrorists.
The regulation of the private security industry
COAG considered a proposal for a nationally-consistent approach to the regulation of the private security industry that focuses on improving the probity, skills and mobility of industry personnel across jurisdictions. However, COAG was unable to agree on a nationally-consistent approach at this time.
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•Date: 17th April 2007 • Region: Australia •Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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