Support to the Global War on Terror

Australia supports the need for action by the international community to combat terrorism. In conjunction with our regional partners, allies and other countries, Australia is playing a leading role in the Asia-Pacific region and, making a significant contribution to the global fight against terrorism.

Australia's actions to combat domestic and international terrorism can be found at:

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs Minister for Foreign Affairs; Australia's actions and Report to the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the UN Security Council Australia's appointment of an Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism

These new actions plus Australia's extant significant counter-terrorism capabilities and actions include:

• Develop new and strengthen existing Memorandums of Understanding on Counter-Terrorism with various regional Asia-Pacific nations;
• strengthen the interaction between Australia's defence and law enforcement agencies; install measures to prevent in Australia the financing of, preparation for and basing from Australia of terrorist attacks on other countries;
• freezing of Australian assets belonging to terrorists and their sponsors, and pursue the money laundering associated with terrorism;
• refine sophisticated electronic systems to track the movement of persons and assets, conduct more detailed individual and group character and security checks for the issuing of Australian Travel Documents (passports);
• improved extant and new extensive networks of law enforcement liaison officers and bilateral treaties on extradition, deportation powers and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters to facilitate cooperation with other countries in the prevention, investigation and prosecution of terrorist acts; development of highly coordinated domestic counter-terrorism response strategies to strengthen law enforcement, security and defence inter-agency procedures, capabilities, and ant-terrorism regulations;
• conducting anti-terrorism operational exercises to proof systems, procedures, international arrangements, and strengthen counter-terrorism domestic cooperation and intelligence sharing between law enforcement agencies for mutual assistance in criminal matters.

Support to Operation Enduring Freedom

Op SLIPPER is the name given for Australian Defence Force (ADF) support to Australia's longstanding commitment to the international coalition against terrorism -Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Currently, Australia's commitment to Op SLIPPER comprises:

The deployment of an Australian Major Fleet Unit (currently HMAS Stuart) jointly under OP SLIPPER and Australia's contribution to the rehabilitation of Iraq (OP CATALYST); AP-3C Orion aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force's Maritime Patrol Group are in the area of operations, conducting maritime patrol tasks in the Persian Gulf as part of the multinational interception force. Australian specific Defence contributions in Afghanistan also include: one ADF member providing military advice to the United Nations Assistance Mission Afghanistan ; and one ADF member contributing to de-mining activities with the Coalition Joint Task Force - Afghanistan.

Support to Operation Iraqi Freedom

In early January 2003, the Australian Government directed elements of the ADF to pre-deploy to the Middle East to help apply pressure on the Iraqi regime to comply with United Nations' Resolutions, and to prepare for possible operations should they be necessary.

ADF elements began in January 2003 to depart from Australia to join other elements of the ADF already in the Middle East. By 25 February 2003, over 2000 ADF personnel were assembled in-theatre, conducting training with other Coalition partners and acclimatising to the local conditions.

On 18 March 2003 the Australian Government announced that it had decided to authorise the ADF to take part in coalition operations.

The ADF's contribution to the coalition may not have been large as a proportion of the total, but the achievements of its defence forces were outstanding. * No less important were the efforts of many other ADF personnel and defence civilians behind the front lines who contributed to this operational success in so many ways.

The results of the Australian participation in coalition operations in Iraq were:

• Removal of the threat to international security presented by Iraq's defiance of the international community
• Demonstration of the international community's determination to confront threats associated with the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
• The toppling of Saddam has been a salutary lesson to other rogue states with effects that have already become evident in the recent behaviour of Libya

The people of Iraq now have the chance for a brighter future and to share the freedoms that most of us take for granted. For that chance to become reality will require an ongoing commitment by the world community for some time to come. But despite the obstacles progress is being made, and Australia and the ADF continue to be part of that commitment. These are substantial achievements. They have made a palpable difference.

Op CATALYST is the ADF's post-conflict contribution to the Australian whole-of-government effort to assist with the rehabilitation of Iraq and its transition to self-government. The operation came into effect on 16 July 2003.

The ADF continues to make a valuable, and in certain instances, unique contribution to the rehabilitation of Iraq, the rebuilding of Iraqi armed forces and the transition to self-government. Nearly 850 Australians are currently serving (at 1 April 04) in the Middle East, including an Australian Joint Task Force headquarters for command of ADF elements deployed in the Middle East.

The headquarters is responsible for:

• Operation Catalyst and Operation Slipper, Australia's contribution to the war against terrorism
• a naval component of about 175 personnel, comprising the HMAS Stuart (ANZAC class FF)
• a RAAF C-130 Hercules detachment of about 150 personnel with two transport aircraft, ground crew and other support elements
• an Air Traffic Control detachment and support personnel at Baghdad International Airport, and Combined Air Operations Staff, totalling around 65 personnel
• a security detachment of about 90 personnel including armoured vehicles and an explosive ordnance detachment to provide protection and escort for Australian Government personnel working in our Representative Office in Baghdad
• up to 15 analysts and technical experts in Iraq supporting the 1300-strong Iraq Survey Group - the coalition effort to locate, identify, account for and subsequently destroy Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs
• an Australian contribution to various coalition headquarters and units, and combined logistics and communications elements comprising about 90 personnel
• an RAAF AP-3C Orion detachment of about 160 personnel, with two aircraft and associated command and support elements supporting both the rehabilitation operation in Iraq and the coalition operation against terrorism

The ADF has also contributed specialist personnel and assets to Iraq's rehabilitation, including:

• a Military Adviser to the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General in Iraq
• four ADF officers to the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) - two working in Baghdad and two working in the provincial CPA offices
• four ADF personnel working with the Coalition Military Assistance and Training Team to assist the development of the Iraqi Defence Force, and three Defence Civilians providing policy advice to the CPA's Office of National Security Affairs
• a temporary Military Liaison Officer supporting the Australian Representative Office in Baghdad (essentially performing the role of a Defence Attache) an Australian officer, Major General Jim Molan AO, has been appointed Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations within the Multinational Force Coalition headquarters in Baghdad
• Seven Army officers working directly in support of UK forces in Iraq employed primarily on rehabilitation, community building and governance tasks; a RAN training team to support the development of a new Iraqi Coastal Defence Force
• an Army training team comprising 53 Australian Army personnel to form part of the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team effort for the Iraqi Armed Forces
• three Iraqi army battalions and a brigade staff, which included selecting and training those to form the leadership of the first Iraqi brigade.

The contribution of all these personnel has been regarded highly by the Coalition Provisional Authority with a number receiving personal praise from Ambassador Bremer.

Humanitarian Support

The Australian Government is actively working to ensure Australian companies can participate in providing humanitarian relief and other assistance to rebuild Iraq after the military conflict ended. Australian companies have already made significant contributions to post-war humanitarian relief, reconstruction and environmental rehabilitation in Iraq. Specific assistance that has or will be provided:

Support and provision of professional services to restore Iraq's oil and gas infrastructure that will allow Iraq to use its natural resources for ongoing revenue for the people of Iraq, and create jobs, skills and technology support. * Expertise in relief and reconstruction, particularly in agriculture, electrical distribution, health care, sanitation and water supply, but also in construction, infrastructure, financial and economic policy, institutional development, consultancy and other services.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs

Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism

Austrailian Government

Australian Embassy

Austrailian Department of Defence

Minister for Defence

Chief of Defence

Op Slipper (GWOT & OEF)

Op Catalyst (OIF)

Australian Navy News

Austrailian Army News

Australian RAAF News

Australian Tourist Commission

Australian Travel

Australian Trade Commission