NCJ Number
80256
Journal
Pacific Defense Reporter Volume: 6 Issue: 11 Dated: (May 1980) Pages: 16,21-22,24-25
Date Published
1980
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes the Protective Security Review (PSR), a document which covers in detail all aspects of countering terrorism and preventing and controlling political violence in Australia. PSR concerns regarding intelligence gathering, preventive action, use of military forces, powers of the military, and political responsibility are detailed.
Abstract
Those aspects of the problem of terrorism that are covered by the PSR are outlined, and recommendations designed to achieve cooperative sharing of intelligence between Federal and State police forces are mentioned. The PSR notes that for terrorists within Australia, preventive action involves weapons denial and target hardening. Airport security and the prevention of aircraft hijacking are also areas of concern in the PSR. The PSR emphasizes that the police forces are responsible for handling terrorist activity and spells out when the defense force should be used to aid local police. The PSR also outlines the constitutional justification for employing military forces and emphasizes the need for cooperation between military forces and the civil power. The powers presently available to troops acting in aid of the civil power are set out in the PSR, as are the requirements regarding the personal responsibility of individual soldiers for their actions. The PSR recommends a strict and mandatory procedure for reporting the use of military forces to Parliament and deals extensively with the special problems of protection of public officials and crisis management. No references are cited.