Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has unveiled a new national security plan designed to prevent vehicle attacks on locals and tourists.
Australia’s Strategy For Protecting Crowded Places From Terrorism comes shortly after a white van entered a pedestrian zone in Barcelona’s bustling Las Ramblas, although according to officials, it has been under development since the Nice attack in July 2016.
Turnbull was reported in Perth Now as saying that although Australia has the best security agencies, the program will optimise and improve “the way we can keep Australians safe”.
“We recognise that the threat is constantly evolving, so what we have to do is to make sure we too are constantly improving and updating the measures we have.”
Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s Prime Minister
So what’s changing?
State government and police will assist venue owners and operators in security audits for their facilities. Together they’ll find any weaknesses and develop strategies to strengthen them.
Travellers and locals can expect to see more permanent bollards set up around Australia’s main cities, including busy shopping districts such as Pitt Street in Sydney. They’re designed to separate cars and vans from pedestrians.
Image: bollards-sydney.com.au
Additional police officers and security will be placed at mass gatherings and new buildings will need to meet new security measures.
“The best mitigations are done at the design stage,” Mr Turnbull said. “You can’t proof every site 100 per cent – there are certainly things that can be done to existing sites – but the most important thing is as you get new developments, new plans that security measures are put in place at that time.”
Meanwhile, last month, Australia’s aviation leaders revealed plans to step up security at domestic airports after an alleged plan to attack an Etihad flight.
Gateways such as Sydney Airport and Melbourne Airport are looking at rolling out tighter restrictions on liquids, gels and aerosols as well as as other carry on products.
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