Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Hansard source

This is a very important question because it involves initiatives in the region by the Howard government in relation to the fight against transnational crime and terrorism. Just last week I signed an agreement with the foreign affairs minister of the Philippines, Mr Romulo, in relation to air security officers travelling between our two countries. That was part of an election commitment. We now have in place air security officer agreements with Singapore and the United States. I think it is significant that in this regard Australia held for the first time the world conference on air security officers, in Canberra. That is significant because it recognises the esteem in which we are held in relation to our ASO program.