Australian Government: Attorney-General's Department
Australian Government: Attorney-General's DepartmentAchieving a Just and Secure Society

Security Coordination Branch

The Security Coordination Branch is responsible for the administration of a variety of functions that contribute to Australia’s national security. Amongst many functions, the Branch provides coordination for Dignitary Protection and Special Event Security on behalf of the Australian Government.

Dignitary Protection Section

The Protective Security Coordination Centre (PSCC) is the Australian Government's coordinator of protective security arrangements for Australian holders of high office, foreign diplomats and visiting dignitaries.

The charter for the roles and responsibilities of the PSCC in relation to dignitary protection stems partly from international conventions and protocols to which Australia is a signatory (eg the Vienna Conventions), and the belief that democracy and good governance is dependent upon the security of the individuals and institutions that comprise the government and parliament.
 
Coordination of dignitary protection arrangements embraces three key functions.

  1. Arrangements for visiting dignitaries. These dignitaries may include guests of governments, guests of defence and parliamentary delegations visiting Australia.
  2. Arrangements for the diplomatic and consular community, and
  3. Arrangements for Australian office holders including current and former Governors-General and Prime Ministers, the Federal Ministry, and those Senators and Members of Parliament who are assessed to be at risk.

In meeting its dignitary protection responsibilities the PSCC undertakes the following tasks:

  • risk assessments
  • determines appropriate security requirements and develops plans in consultation with other agencies
  • liaises with relevant foreign missions, Australian, State and Territory Government agencies, operational agencies and private Institutions
  • plans, coordinates and conducts advance security surveys within Australia and overseas.

Dignitary protection arrangements are coordinated outside of normal business hours by Attorney-General's Department Coordination Centre.

Protective Security Section

The Protective Security Section of the PSCC is responsible for coordinating whole of government protective security systems for Australian and Foreign holders of high office, in particular:

  • Prime Minister and Governor-General
  • Federal Ministers
  • Presiding Officers of both Houses
  • Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in both Houses
  • Former Prime Ministers and Governors-General
  • Senators and Members of Parliament, who are assessed to be at threat from Politically Motivated Violence
  • At risk diplomatic and consular officials.

In order to fulfil this responsibility, the PSCC conducts:

  • Threat based Physical Security Risk Reviews (PSRRs) on high office holders’ electorate office and residence.  Depending on the result of the review, improvements may be made to the security environment at these locations.  PSRRs are also conducted regularly at high risk foreign diplomatic and consular missions, Commonwealth Parliamentary Officers and the Official Establishments.
  • The coordination of the Australian Government’s fleet of Armoured Limousines. The main function of these limousines is to provide an armoured environment for Australian Holders of High Office, senior members of the diplomatic community and visiting dignitaries identified as being at-risk and requiring the level of protection provided by these limousines.
  • National Visits Media Card which identifies the holder as a person with a legitimate media interest in the visits of foreign dignitaries. The card does not automatically entitle the holder to any special consideration or close proximity to visiting dignitaries or associated events. The NVMC has been introduced to cater for visits of foreign dignitaries where a higher level of security is required.

The Protective Security section is also responsible for the Continuity of Government arrangements which provide support and services for the continuity of the Cabinet and the Federal Executive Council during a national security situation that may impact on the business of one or both bodies.

Special Event Security

The Australian Government has an important role to play in ensuring that effective security is provided for special national and international events.  Failure to ensure that effective security arrangements are in place has the potential to not only impact on the safety of attendees but also significantly damage Australia's tourism and trade sectors, as well as international bilateral and political relationships.

The role of PSCC in special event security is to coordinate Australian government agencies to ensure an appropriate security response by agencies in support of event organisers and relevant international, state or territory governments. To this end, the PSCC works collaboratively and cooperatively with the relevant security service, event organisers and host government to ensure that effective and appropriate security arrangements are in place for special events.
 
Although each event requires a different overlay of security arrangements, planning and coordination activities follow a risk management approach to ensure that events are staged in a safe and secure environment, and are responsive to the evolving security environment.

Arrangements that are implemented are determined following consideration of specific risk and threat assessments, together with other relevant issues including size and importance of the event, level of expected media attention and status of any visiting dignitaries that may be attending.

The PSCC conducts event related security coordination meetings on a regular basis, to ensure a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities by key stakeholders/partner agencies.  Government departments involved in the coordination of security arrangements include, but are not limited to, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation which provides threat assessment, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which facilitates security arrangements for Australians at an international level, the Department of Defence which may provide a range of resources for special event security, the Australian Federal Police and state police services which are responsible for specific security arrangements.

Examples of events for which the PSCC has been involved in security include

  • the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
  • the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2002
  • the Rugby World Cup 2003
  • annual ANZAC Commemorations at Gallipoli
  • the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, and
  • APEC 2007.