Combatting transnational crime and violent extremism in our region

The Coalition Government will establish a new program to strengthen legislative responses to transnational crime and violent extremism in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Indo-Pacific Justice and Security Program, valued at more than $15 million over four years, will allow Australia's neighbouring countries to tap into our world class expertise as part of their fight against transnational crime and violent extremism. Combatting transnational crime and violent extremism in our region is critical to ensuring Australia's own national security.

Australia is committed to strengthening the rule of law in our region. Under the program, Australian Government legal experts will be deployed to run training courses, review draft legislation and provide advice to their peers on how to ensure laws are implemented effectively.

Over the past three years, the Coalition Government has undertaken the most significant reform of Australia's national security legislation in a generation. The Indo-Pacific Justice and Security Program will support our neighbours to learn from this experience in building stronger legal systems and effectively responding to organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism.

The Indo-Pacific Justice and Security Program will initially concentrate on tackling financial crime and illicit financial flows, human trafficking and violent extremism, as well as facilitating cooperation against international crime. The focus will be on South and Southeast Asia, with activities planned in the first year with Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and the Philippines.

More information on the Program can be found here.