Preparedness to respond to terrorism Incidents: essential services and critical infrastructure
Overview
The 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States and the subsequent attacks in Bali, Madrid, Jakarta and London prompted reform and enhancement of the national and Victorian counter-terrorism arrangements. In November 2002 the Victorian government released its counter‑terrorism policy statement Enhancing Victoria’s Domestic Security: New measures for the fight against terrorism and in 2003, introduced the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003 establishing new counter‑terrorism powers.
The protection of essential services and critical infrastructure is integral to minimising the impact and consequence of a terrorist attack, and the Act included provisions for the protection of declared essential services.
The objective of this audit was to examine the state’s preparedness to respond to terrorism incidents, relating to essential services and critical infrastructure.