Govt Spends on “Terrorism”
30 January 2002
Media Statement from George Hawkins
Additional police staff at airports and a dedicated
terrorism investigation and intelligence group, are among a range of counter-terrorism
initiatives, announced by Police Minister George Hawkins today.
The government is putting $2.57 million a year by 2003/4
into the police component of a wider package of measures designed to combat terrorism.
"We have identified areas where New Zealand's
counter-terrorism response capability can be significantly improved and we are
allocating additional funding to support that capability," said George
Hawkins.
The package of police initiatives designed to improve New
Zealand's counter-terrorism response capability includes:
* The establishment of 26 full-time equivalent sworn police positions to provide ongoing security at New Zealand's six major airports - Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, and Rotorua; ·
* The establishment of a permanent Police Terrorism – Investigation and Intelligence Group;
* The establishment of
police liaison posts in Washington DC and London to enhance intelligence
gathering and ensure the coordination of operational responses to terrorism.
"The government's counter-terrorism measures reflect
the government's commitment to strengthening New Zealand's security measures.
"The allocation of additional funding demonstrates our determination
to not only strengthen New Zealand's counter-terrorism capability, but to ensure
that the response is ongoing.
"I am confident that the initiatives that have been announced will contribute significantly to New Zealand's national security and border protection," George Hawkins said.
30 January 2002
Media Statement from Jim Anderton
"Three million dollars per annum of new funding for
Customs will be used to help prevent New Zealand being used as a base for
terrorism overseas or as a transit point for international terrorism,"
says Acting Customs Minister Jim Anderton.
"New Zealand may not be under threat directly but we
need to play our part in keeping other countries and the international
community free from terrorist attacks.
"The extra funding will enable Customs to work more
closely with other agencies both in New Zealand and internationally, to better
track and identify travellers and cargo that may be linked to terrorist
networks.
"There will be more physical inspections of cargo and a
higher level of monitoring of planes and ships as a result of this increased
funding.
"Funding will also go to the state-of-the-art Customs
computer system, CusMod, which alerts Customs Officers to travellers and cargo
that represent a high risk.
"Customs has already boosted its information and
intelligence-gathering initiatives and its hands-on checks on some goods and
travellers since September 11, from within existing resources.
"Customs will continue to build on its close working
relationships with MAF Quarantine and the New Zealand Immigration Service at
the border.
Jim Anderton says all Customs information gathering and
sharing is governed by New Zealand legislation, including the Customs and Excise
Act, the Privacy Act and the Official Information Act.
"The Labour Alliance Coalition Government is also
planning some changes to legislation to ensure Customs is provided
electronically with accurate information about goods shipments, and to provide
more flexibility in sharing information with overseas law enforcement
agencies," said Jim Anderton.
30 January 2002
Media Statement from the Prime Minister
The government has decided to increase funding for counter terrorism
activities, Prime Minister Helen Clark today announced today.
Eight government agencies and departments will share the
extra funding. It totals $26.916 million in operating expenditure and $2.894
million in capital expenditure running from now until 2003/4. The new operating funding will continue to
run at just under $14 million per annum from 2003/4.
Helen Clark said the 11 September attacks had heightened the
security risk internationally and caused the government to take a closer look
at security issues.
"While New Zealand is geographically remote and an
unlikely target, the possibility of terrorist attack can never be ruled
out. In addition New Zealand needs to
be alert to any possible connections between terrorist networks, their
activities, and people living in New Zealand.
"New Zealand has international obligations to assist in
efforts to combat terrorism. UN
Security Council resolutions in the wake of 11 September require UN member
countries to introduce stronger measures to combat international terrorism.
"Since the attacks on the United States, the government
has devoted considerable efforts to counter terrorism measures. To date this work
has been done by a redirection of resources within departments. That approach
cannot be maintained in the longer term.
"The government has decided, therefore, to direct
$26.916 million of new operating funding over this financial year and the next
two to a number of agencies involved in counter terrorism and border
protection. In subsequent years funding
is set to continue to run at the 2003/4 level.
The Immigration Service will receive an extra $4.124
million, Customs an extra $6.020 million, Police an extra $3.555 million and
the Defence Force an extra $370,000.
Parliamentary Services will receive an extra $1.124 million. Three other agencies, the SIS, the GCSB and
the External Assessments Bureau, will together receive an extra $11.723 million
over the three financial years.
$2.894 million of capital funding will be shared between
intelligence agencies, Civil Defence and the Defence Force.
Helen Clark said the new funding will strengthen New
Zealand's protective security measures.
"This includes enhanced border control, aviation
security, and protective security measures at high profile or significant facilities.
"The funding will also improve our intelligence
agencies' ability to collect and evaluate foreign and domestic
intelligence. A particular focus of
their efforts will be to prevent New Zealand from being used as a safe haven to
plan and facilitate terrorist attacks elsewhere.
"The new funding will also allow us to improve New
Zealand's capacity to respond to specific security incidents such as terrorist emergencies,
including those of a chemical or biological nature, and coping with the aftermath
of incidents.
"The increased funding is a measured response to the international security environment which we now face, and demonstrates again New Zealand's commitment to international efforts to combat terrorism," Helen Clark said.