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

and the opposition ought to wake up and realise that and get behind the men and women of the Australian Federal Police service who are doing such a good job in not only our immediate region but also working with the United Nations in places such as the Sudan and Jordan.

Part of this announcement will include an operational response group of 150 personnel and that will ensure that we have a state of readiness should the need arise. We have seen in recent times, particularly this year in East Timor, even over recent days just how fragile the situation is in countries like East Timor and the Solomons. Of course, we realise we are there at their invitation and it is not a case of Australia just being able to barge in to another country and dictate terms of how we will assist. But we are certainly committed to assisting countries in our region in relation to capacity building for law enforcement and to assist them with issues which threaten their good governance and also threaten civil disruption.

This is a very significant announcement. It is a significant step forward for the Australian Federal Police and it is worthwhile to remember that as the Federal Police Commissioner, Mick Keelty, said, ‘There are in excess of 2,000 people who are queuing up to join the Australian Federal Police.’ That says a lot about the Australian Federal Police and the standing it enjoys in the Australian community and quite rightly so.