The History of PSCC
The PSCC was established in 1976 to ensure that appropriate security arrangements for holders of high office, such as the Governor General and the Prime Minister, and visiting foreign dignitaries were coordinated between the Australian Government and States and Territories. In 1977 the PSCC was also given responsibility for coordinating counter terrorism planning.
The PSCC's responsibilities have expanded since those early days and in 1992 it was given responsibility for coordinating and managing protection arrangements for foreign diplomatic and consular personnel and premises. Following the 1995 Review of High Office Holders it was established in 1996 as a Division of the Attorney General's Department with wider coordination powers and authority.
Consistent with its responsibilities for coordinating the Australian Government's protective security and counter-terrorism arrangements, the Watch Office has in recent years contributed significantly to the safe and successful conduct of numerous high profile international events in Australia.
The PSCC provided support on dignitary protection and counter-terrorism issues for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympics Games and associated events. In doing so, the PSCC worked closely with the Sydney 2000 Games Coordination Task Force, the NSW Olympic Coordination Authority, the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and the NSW Police Service, as well as other Federal, State and Territory Government authorities and police services.
The PSCC also provided support on dignitary protection and counter terrorism issues for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), held in Queensland in March 2002. During CHOGM, the PSCC worked closely with the Queensland Police Service, the CHOGM Task Force in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and other Federal agencies.
The 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, and the consequential shift in the global security environment, had a significant impact upon the PSCC.
The immediate response of the PSCC to the events of 11 September 2001 was to activate, in the early hours of 12 September, Australia's national crisis management arrangements to coordinate an appropriate protective security and counter-terrorism response within Australia. This included activating the Watch Office, alerting appropriate Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies, including police services, and implementing additional measures for at-risk dignitaries and premises.
Following the initial response, the Australian Government took steps to improve Australia's protective security and counter-terrorism arrangements. These arrangements significantly affected the PSCC. In early 2002, the PSCC was restructured and its staffing levels were increased to ensure the Government's commitments were achieved. In response to the increased need for constant monitoring of the security environment, the Watch Office was upgraded from a usually dormant status to a dedicated security coordination and response management facility providing 24 hour a day, 7 day a week service.