Media Release

FA 17 - 5 February 2004

Indonesia Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation

I am pleased to announce Australia’s contribution of $38.3 million over five years to the Indonesia Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (ICLEC). 

Australia and Indonesia have decided to establish this Centre following their excellent cooperation in investigating the horrific Bali bombings.  The Centre will be developed over time as a resource for the entire region in the fight against transnational crime, with a focus on counter-terrorism. 

The ICLEC is expected to be operational by the end of 2004.  It will be headed by a senior Indonesian police officer, and will have a staff of around 20.  The Australian Federal Police will take the lead role in providing Australia’s contribution to the Centre.  Other Australian agencies including the Attorney-General’s Department will be involved. 

Australia will contribute to a range of costs including technical equipment, training and operational experts from the Australian Federal Police and other relevant bodies. 

The ICLEC will have both a regional capacity-building and operational mandate.  It will be available as a resource to provide operational support and professional guidance in response to specific terrorist threats or actual attacks. 

Training activities will cover the full range of key counter-terrorism skills, including tracking and interception of terrorists, forensics, crime scene investigation, financial investigations, threat assessments, security support for major events and consequence management, criminal prosecution and counter-terrorism legislative drafting skills.

The Bali Regional Ministerial Meeting on Counter Terrorism expressed strong support for the establishment of the Centre and its mandate.  A number of countries expressed their intention to contribute to the Centre, and others their strong desire to draw from its expertise.  This is a strong start for the Centre. 

The ICLEC will develop complementary relations with other relevant regional bodies working in the areas of law enforcement and counter-terrorism, such as the South-East Asian Regional Centre for Counter Terrorism in Kuala Lumpur and the International Law Enforcement Academy in Bangkok.

Media inquiries: Chris Kenny +61 02 6277 7500 - Julie McDonald (Departmental) 02 6261 1555