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Australian Federal The First Thirty Years

i © Commonwealth of 2009 ISBN: 978-0-646-52588-4 Copyright Notice Cover Images The cover design shows the six AFP Commissioners from 1979 to 2009. Second Revision: May 2012 From left to right they are: This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Sir Colin Woods KCVO CBE QPM 1979–1982 Commonwealth. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be Ron Grey AO DSO 1983–1988 addressed to: Peter McAulay AO QPM 1988–1994 The AFP History Project Mick Palmer AO APM 1994–2001 Recognition and Ceremonial APM 2001–2009 Australian Tony Negus APM 2009–current GPO Box 401 City ACT 2601.

Emails regarding this document can be addressed to [email protected] Other contact information can be found on the AFP website: www.afp.gov.au ii Dedication

This work is dedicated to the men and women of the AFP, sworn and unsworn, who over the past three decades have taken the AFP from an idea to a reality. By their daily commitment to protect the nation and its citizens, AFP members serve communities, not only in Australia, but in trouble spots around the world making the AFP a unique arm of Australian law enforcement.

iii About this Document

While the AFP is still relatively young, it has grown almost continually since 1979. In that time it has had to deal with constantly changing trends in technology and corporate structure in order to keep pace with Government expectations and the business of fighting and overseas. This document captures the facts and figures of the AFP’s growth since 1979. The report recommending the creation of the AFP written by Sir Robert Mark in 1978 in the wake of the Hilton bombing laid out the foundations for the AFP’s creation. That report was tapped out on an electric typewriter and printed as a small booklet for the to consider. The distribution of this booklet was limited to the interested few. Australian Federal Police: The First Thirty Years is available to view on the World Wide Web and was created using technology that was impossible to imagine in 1979. This publication is a summary of the AFP’s history drawn from annual reports, media releases and other corporate documents; it does not offer an interpretation of the AFP’s achievements, leaving the facts to speak for themselves.

iv Contents i Title Page iii Dedication v Contents vii Foreword viii Past Commissioners 1 Chapter 1: The Woods Years, 1979–1982 11 Chapter 2: The Grey Years, 1983–1988 25 Chapter 3: The McAulay Years, 1988–1994 35 Chapter 4: The Palmer Years, 1994–2001 53 Chapter 5: The Keelty Years, 2001–2009 83 Chapter 6: Time Line of Events, 1979–2009 143 Chapter 7: Key Facts, 1979–2009 177 Chapter 8: Before the Australian Federal Police 183 Index 188 Questions – Comments – Feedback

v Photographic Copyright Most of the photographs in this work are tagged with the identity of the copyright owner. The photographs tagged:Canberra Times or ACT Heritage Library, Canberra Times Collection are not to be reproduced without permission of those organisations. Photographs from the AFP Museum Collection are copyright of the Australian Federal Police and may be used for AFP purposes by members, but with an attribution to the AFP Museum Collection. These photos are a collection of operational, promotional and event photographs taken by a variety of AFP employees over many years. In some cases, the AFP Museum Collection also contains personal photos loaned or donated to the collection. These photographs may be subject to specific conditions of use. An exhaustive search to locate possible copyright owners has been made. Copyright ownership claims should be directed to the AFP Museum or where a photograph is suspected of being attributed incorrectly, also contact the AFP Museum. The photos attributed to the Australian Service have been sourced from the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service website Media Room via www.customs.gov.au and are used in accordance with the conditions specified on the website. All portrait photos are from the files of AFP Marketing or the AFP Museum and are AFP copyright. In all cases the Australian Federal Police must be acknowledged as the source when reproducing or quoting any part of this publication.

vi Foreword

Commissioner Tony Negus has been When I joined the AFP in 1982, I was It is clear from the pages of this publication a member of the Australian Federal attracted to a career with the AFP principally that those principles have blossomed with Police since 1982 working in a variety because it offered a wider range of career the AFP enjoying excellent interagency of fields, including community policing, possibilities in policing. relations not only with Australia’s state federal investigations, training and At the time, the AFP was active in police, but with law enforcement agencies protection. He has been the officer in community policing, national investigations around the world. This level of cooperation charge of both the AFP Brisbane and and international peacekeeping with the was deemed necessary by Sir Colin Woods Sydney offices, as well as heading up in . and actively pursued by all subsequent AFP the AFP’s protection responsibilities. Commissioners. As you read through the pages of Australian In July 2006, Commissioner Negus Federal Police: The First Thirty Years it is At 30 years-of-age the AFP has built its was appointed as the National possible to see at a glance the incredible reputation on a tradition of high achievement Manager of Human Resources growth in the AFP’s role and capacity that and professional conduct. This is a legacy followed by appointment to Deputy has taken place over the past three decades. that we not only need to champion for Commissioner Operations on ourselves, but in honour of those who have 19 October 2007. It is only with the passing of time that it is met the challenge before us. possible to gain perspective on how far the Sworn in as AFP Commissioner AFP has travelled. During the AFP’s early on 7 September 2009, Mr Negus years a few fundamental principles were laid Tony Negus APM has responsibility for the operation Commissioner down; these included a spirit of interagency and direction of the AFP as well as Australian Federal Police Tony Negus APM cooperation accompanied by expectations serving on various boards for other law Commissioner of high integrity and achievement. October 2009 Australian Federal Police enforcement agencies.

vii Past Commissioners

Sir Colin Woods KCVO CBE QPM: AFP Commissioner 1979­–1982

After completing secondary Colin was also in that year appointed Police, into the fledgling AFP. Within instrumental in shaping the creation school, Sir Colin Woods joined the Her Majesty’s Chief of a month of the commencement of the Australian Bureau of Criminal (60th Rifles) and was Constabulary in and Wales of AFP operations, the Federal Intelligence. commissioned in the Royal Ulster – a position he held for two years. Narcotics Bureau was disbanded Sir Colin’s vision was for the AFP Rifles (1939–1946). He was then selected to be the first and its functions and personnel were to be universally recognised as an In 1946 he joined the London Commissioner of the Australian transferred to the AFP. organisation imbued with integrity as a Federal Police, travelling to Australia He observed at the time that while and one in which members and being sworn in on 11 September and after a policing career involving various people had been preoccupied supported and encouraged each 1979. a range of appointments throughout with the concept of a national other. the London Metropolitan Police, Sir Colin was immediately faced Commonwealth policing body, his Sir Colin Woods retired on 31 August including Assistant Commissioner with the task of melding two role was essentially concerned with 1982 and returned to England. He (Crime), he rose to the rank of Deputy separate organisations, the former people and how it would all come passed away at of 80 in Commissioner. Knighted in 1977, Sir Commonwealth Police and ACT together on the ground. He was also London on 27 January 2001.

Major General Ronald Grey, AO DSO: AFP Commissioner 1983–1988

Ron Grey was a career army officer committee of the Australian Bureau number of countries in which the who attained the rank of Major of Criminal Intelligence and led the AFP had posts from three to 12. He General in 1978. He served in Australian delegations to the was also responsible for focusing Borneo, Korea, and had a number annual General Assembly meetings. government on the cost of crime and of tours of duty in Vietnam. For his the resources required to cope with it. In May 1987, he became the first service in Vietnam he was made Australian to Another legacy of Mr Grey’s military a Companion of the Distinguished make an official visit to the People’s background was a recognition of Service Order and was awarded Republic of . His understanding the value of strategic and tactical the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with and appreciation of international intelligence in the fight against organised crime – particularly drug Palm. cooperation led to a major expansion trafficking. During his five-year term with the of the AFP’s overseas liaison officer AFP, Mr Grey served for one year as network during the period he was Mr Grey retired from the AFP on the chairman of the management Commissioner, increasing the 15 February 1988. viii Peter McAulay, AO QPM: AFP Commissioner 1988–1994

Cyprus for a year he returned again in other commissioners were critical During the McAulay years, the Peter McAulay joined the South to the development of the AFP as groundwork for future modernisation Australia Police Force as a cadet 1970 to command the multinational much depended on the cooperation and change within the AFP was laid in 1951 and in 1953 graduated police force. received from other jurisdictions. to ensure that the organisation was from the Police After returning to South Australia ready to face future challenges. Academy and subsequently served and serving in a range of commands, Apart from the development of in a variety of city and community Mr McAulay was appointed Northern cooperative working arrangements, Peter McAulay retired from the AFP postings in both uniform and Criminal Territory Police Commissioner in Mr McAulay introduced the first on 5 May 1994. He died from a Investigations Branch. 1978. He served in this position until major reforms of the AFP including respiratory illness on 14 November 1995. In 1968 Peter McAulay was being appointed AFP Commissioner the employment of all personnel seconded to the Commonwealth in 1988. under the AFP Act, a reduction in Police to serve in the Australian Police Mr McAulay’s extensive knowledge the number of unions and awards Contingent of the United Nations of forces and the high and development of the unique AFP Force in Cyprus. After serving in regard in which he was held by employment environment. Mick Palmer, AO APM: AFP Commissioner 1994­–2001

Mick Palmer joined the Northern inspector in 1983, Mr Palmer served of the AFP consolidating and Mr Palmer was the Commonwealth’s Territory Police Service in 1963 as in a range of commands before extending the reforms of the previous personal nominee on a range of a constable and served until 1978 being appointed Commissioner of commissioner, Peter McAulay and committees and boards including the Northern Territory Police Fire and is recognised as having played a rising through the ranks to become Deputy Chair of the Australian an inspector in 1975. Emergency Services on 2 January lead role in the professionalisation of 1988. In August 1984 he was policing across Australasia. National Council on Drugs. Between 1979 and 1982 he admitted to practise as a Legal He was a member of the group of In May 1999, Mr Palmer was completed legal studies and was Practitioner of the Supreme Court of Australian police commissioners that awarded an Honorary Doctor of admitted as a Barrister at Law with the Northern Territory. Honours in Queensland in July 1982. developed the first National Strategy Letters from the Charles Sturt for Police Professionalism in 1989. From that time until late 1983 he Mr Palmer was appointed AFP University in recognition of his Commissioner in May 1994. In this This strategy has proven instrumental practised privately in Queensland. role he implemented a major reform in the development of policing in outstanding leadership in the police Following his reappointment to the program to modernise the work Australia to face the challenges of the service. He retired on 14 March Northern Territory Police as a chief practices and organisation structure 21st century. 2001. Mick Keelty, APM: AFP Commissioner 2001–2009

Mick Keelty was sworn in as AFP terrorism, high tech crime, protective with ’s highest policing in 2008 when President Sellapan Commissioner in 2001 becoming security and airport security, as award in recognition of the Ramanathan, presented him the first commissioner to be well as peacekeeping and capacity AFP’s close cooperation with with Singapore’s Distinguished appointed from within the ranks of building. the Indonesian in Service Order in recognition of his combating terrorism. the AFP and only the second to have Overseas deployments during Mr contribution to strengthening the served two terms. Keelty’s time as commissioner Commissioner Keelty holds a working relationship between the The September 2001 terrorist included , , Master’s Degree of Public Policy and AFP and Singapore’s Police Force , the Administration, a Graduate Certificate attacks in the USA and the AFP’s in addressing regional transnational and Papua New Guinea and the in Criminal Justice Education; he investigation into the 2002 Bali crime. bombings brought with them continued expansion of the AFP’s is a graduate of the FBI National significant change to the AFP. The International Liaison Network. Academy and a Fellow of the Mick Keelty retired on 2 September Australian Institute of Management. organisation expanded significantly In 2003, President Megawati 2009 having served Australian law taking on responsibility for counter Sukarnoputri presented Mr Keelty He received another overseas honour enforcement for 35 years. ix Acknowledgments Australian Federal Police: The First Thirty Years, was created to mark the AFP’s 30th anniversary. The publication collates information drawn from 30 years of annual reports, media releases and a range of corporate communications in an effort to make historical information about the AFP as readily accessible as possible. In presenting this collected information, acknowledgment is given to the countless number of media and marketing officers, photographers and annual report coordinators who have continually recorded the efforts of the AFP over three decades. Much of the human story behind the AFP’s history is available only as a result of those who have taken the time to contribute to Platypus magazine, AFP News and the various newsletters circulating within the AFP. Acknowledgment must also go to the dedicated few who have staffed the AFP Museum and steadfastly collected, documented and preserved the information, photographs and artefacts that provide the physical evidence of the AFP’s successes. Of course, there would be no history to record at all if it were not for the efforts of all those who in their own fields of endeavour have undertaken the often difficult tasks required of an AFP officer. Terry Browne Project Officer AFP Recognition and Ceremonial October 2009

Chapter 1: The Woods Years 1979–82 YEAR IN REVIEW

1979–80

Appointed as the Commissioner of remain with Australian Customs, but the Australian Federal Police (AFP) drug importations taking place elsewhere on 8 June 1979, Sir Colin Woods would be the AFP’s responsibility. arrived in Australia in late July to meet Initially the Narcotics Bureau officers with Jack Davis and Reg Kennedy, were employed with the AFP under the the respective commissioners of Public Service Act. Amendments to the the Commonwealth Police and the AFP Act were required before 80 of Australian Capital Territory Police, the former Narcotics Bureau members as well as to meet with the key could be offered appointment as police government officials involved in officers on 24 June 1980. Those former creating the AFP. Bureau staff not appointed to police ranks continued to perform important Sir Colin returned to Australia intelligence, policy and administrative accompanied by Lady Woods to start support tasks as Public Service Act staff in work in earnest in late August and by 11 September 1979: Sir Colin Woods (right) being sworn in by Justice Blackburn at the the Office of the AFP. 1 September he had assembled the small ACT Supreme Court. – Courtesy of ACT Heritage Library: Canberra Times Collection Industrial Relations team of the senior officers he needed to complete the final planning required to In the AFP’s early days, a considerable launch the AFP in 19 October 1979. officers who had previously performed a divided structure of police and protective degree of senior management effort was guarding role with the Commonwealth services officers had the potential to required to integrate the members of the On this date the Australian Federal Police Police. By of the financial give rise to problems of morale. The three former organisations combined to Act 1979 was proclaimed, enabling year the general policing component situation was compounded less than one form the AFP. members of the two former forces to was 1275 and the protective service month after the AFP’s inception with the Commissioner Woods reported to the be appointed to the two components component was 1393. Supporting both incorporation of the staff of the former Minister that the cooperation and readiness which constituted the AFP: comprising groups of uniformed officers were 375 Narcotics Bureau. 1134 to the general police component, of the police and staff associations to work Public Service Act officers. and 1443 to the protective service On 6 November 1980, the Fraser with management had been an important component. The Commonwealth Police In his first annual report to Kevin Government announced that the factor in the steady progress towards the provided 544 investigators and the ACT Newman, tabled in late 1980, Narcotics Bureau was to be disbanded achievement of a common identity. Already Police 581 police officers to the general Commissioner Woods told the newly and that responsibility for enforcing the two major police unions that served the policing component with the protective appointed Minister for Administrative Commonwealth law against imported ACT Police (The Federal Police Association), service component comprised entirely of Services that from the outset, the illicit drugs at the customs barrier would and the former Commonwealth Police (the

2 members fully accountable for the manner in YEAR IN REVIEW which they discharged their duties. In consultation with the Commonwealth 1979–80 Ombudsman, an investigative system was introduced that was not only responsive to the community’s expectations, but also reflected contemporary trends in legislation designed to provide effective security of police integrity. Training Commonwealth Police Officers’ Association) had taken the first steps towards Commissioner Woods said that if the amalgamation with the planned signing of AFP was to be successful, it had to have an agreement early in July 1980. a quality training program. Innovations were introduced to help members meet Relations with State Police the challenge of the new force as well as As the head of Australia’s newest policing providing the requisite training to enable all organisation, Commissioner Woods members to compete on an equal footing immediately set about instigating a for positions in the AFP. cooperative approach with the other law 1980: AFP Senior Officers Management and higher command enforcement agencies in Australia, and Front row from left: Acting Assistant Commissioner W Antill, Assistant Commissioner A Watt, in his first year as AFP Commissioner Deputy Commissioner R Kennedy, Commissioner Sir Colin Woods, Assistant Commissioner R Farmer, training was also addressed. An held four formal meetings with the state Chief J Reilly. officers’ course was introduced and a Standing (l to r): J Kelly, Superintendent R Dixon, place secured in England at the Senior police commissioners. He said: “There is Superintendent A Mills, Superintendent R Dillon, Chief Superintendent every reason to believe these meetings have V McConaghy, Chief Superintendent A Bird (obscured), Superintendent Command Course at the Police Staff laid the foundations for strong and lasting E Humphreys, Chief Superintendent R McCabe, Chief Superintendent W Williams, College, Bramshill House in Hampshire. ties and have served to resolve a number Chief Superintendent A Morley, Chief Superintendent I Broomby, Superintendent R Gillespie, The first AFP officer to be nominated for of the difficulties in Commonwealth–state Chief Superintendent P Dawson, Superintendent R Pight, Chief Superintendent W Bennett, the course, Assistant Commissioner John D Morrison, Chief Superintendent N Hedland. police relations identified in Sir Robert Mark’s – Canberra Times Photograph Johnson, began studies at Bramshill in [1978] report. The assistance readily provided March 1980. to the AFP in its formative stages by these October 1979: Sir Colin Woods Encouraging Progress other agencies is appreciated and will serve to makes his first formal address further enhance the growing relationship.” to the collected senior officers Commissioner Woods said he was of the Commonwealth and ACT Internal Investigations Police. encouraged by the AFP’s progress in its A photograph of the meeting first few months. An important factor in the AFP’s development became the cover of the first was the establishment of appropriate edition of the AFP’s corporate “There is every indication that the AFP will processes for the investigation of complaints magazine Platypus, published continue this progress in the coming year, against the police. To merit public confidence just one month after the AFP’s thus moving closer to the objective set for formation and still remains the in, and respect for, the AFP’s administration, AFP’s corporate journal. it by the Government: that of becoming Commissioner Woods said it was imperative a first class police force, recognised that the procedures devised render its internationally,” he said.

3 YEAR IN REVIEW

1980–81

When the AFP was created, the then related to drug offences, and watched Minister for Administrative Services, with interest the development of new John McLeay, provided Commissioner methods, other than those of the traditional Woods with an initial charter that police systems, to combat these major indicated the broad objectives the criminals. In Australia, royal commissions, Government wished to be adopted with investigatory powers beyond those by the new force. These objectives of ordinary law enforcement officers, were required the Commissioner to “lay the becoming almost a permanent feature of foundation of the force and to build it the criminal justice system. 22 August 1980: Minister for Administrative Services, John McLeay with Sir Colin Woods into a first class police organisation, At the time he supported the growing imbued with integrity and one at the ceremony to mark the opening of the Australian Federal Police Services Centre in the Canberra suburb of Weston. – Courtesy of ACT Heritage Library: Canberra Times Collection demand to create a permanent crime which would be highly respected commission that could combine the work internationally”. of the various royal commissions that During the first 18 months of operation, schemes. A substantial number of the proper measure of supervision from the were in progress. He also advocated the Commissioner Woods reported that it was developments in the areas of policing, Ombudsman. adoption in Australia of police practices criminal justice and law enforcement, both necessary, in achieving the broad policy “Members of all police forces are conscious commonly in use overseas, including in Australia and overseas, needed to be goals, to expend great effort to consolidate of the increasing readiness with which powers to intercept communications. He taken into account in these developmental said: “In these difficult times it follows the amalgamation of three disparate and criminals, whether acting under the label often hostile groups which made up the schemes. that the way decisions are taken by those of ‘terrorists’ or merely using sophisticated new force; to review the basic operational responsible for the management of police “We have tried to get ahead of change extortion methods, resort to extremes of procedures and functional relativities forces should be constantly under review. as far as possible and an example has violence. Extremes of civil disorder which of the three groups, and to develop It is, of course, for the Commissioner of been the way in which cooperative we have witnessed recently in Britain also and implement proposals necessary to Police to allocate resources to meet the achieve the objectives laid down by the arrangements between the Ombudsman confirm that if there is any weakness in law day-to-day challenges which make his task Government. and the AFP anticipated the eventual enforcement systems or in society at large, both complicated and fascinating.” passing of the Police Complaints Act,” he it will be ruthlessly exploited,” he said. He remarked: “The world of crime has not Commissioner Woods sought consultation said. marked time while we are concentrating Commissioner Woods was concerned from a broad audience: “Commissioners on perfecting the organisation and This Act governed the way internal with the high level of organisation in must seek advice from all [who are] able to improving personnel development investigations were to be conducted with certain criminal activities, particularly those give it so as to improve their understanding

4 YEAR IN REVIEW

1980–81

of priorities as the community views the time there was, more-or-less, a common Amalgamation Process effort required in developing a unified and problems. There is above all a need for the set of crime statistics used by all Australian effective police organisation. While the amalgamation took place in police authority to make its advice both police forces. The relatively small population October 1979, the industrial representation Even though there had been public clear and widely available.” in the ACT meant that the actions of a of its members provided on-going squabbles, the Federal Police Association few individual criminals could cause some He was very grateful, therefore, to receive concern. Commissioner Woods seemed and the Commonwealth Police Officers’ statistics to fluctuate greatly. detailed advice on the Government’s remarkably philosophical about the often Association, took the first steps towards priorities for the AFP. It was a matter of some In the 1980–81 report, Commissioner strident public outbursts by the two amalgamation. This amalgamation did not comfort to him that the priorities already set Woods reported major increases in police unions. He reported to the Minister: eventuate until 1984 and in the meantime, for the force were very much in line with the offences of occasioning “During the year some of the matters Commissioner Woods regarded the lack those seen as right by the Government. or actual bodily referred to in my last report, concerning of a unified approach was continuing to harm, indecent and other sexual personnel problems arising from the hamper the development of that esprit de “In common with most other police forces offences. Paradoxically, there were amalgamation and integration of the three corps essential in developing a disciplined there are innumerable tasks for every large decreases in minor assaults and a different organisations into one body, have and cohesive police organisation. pair of hands, and for us, as for any other welcome reduction in offences relating progressed satisfactorily, though others are enterprise faced with a greater input than Protective Service to the ill treatment of children. Increases still in the process of resolution.” it has facilities to handle, government in break and enters to buildings were Commissioner Woods found it necessary He said that the physical amalgamation support for the decision which leaves some balanced with reductions in robberies and to draw continually on protective service had proceeded relatively smoothly, however tasks undone is as vital as those for which arson. members to assist in general police tasks to some members had brought with them the highest priority must be given,” he said. enable the more experienced police officers Outside the ACT there were reductions problem-solving techniques from their Crime Figures in the number of offences against the to focus on major investigations. This had previous organisations, which at times Commonwealth referred to the AFP, the effect of reducing the number of officers Statistics are the yardstick of police conflicted with the approach needed in the which enabled a comparable increase in available for strictly protection duties to performance and the AFP’s performance AFP. the number of cases completed. Another what he assessed as dangerously low levels. reporting for its first years was drawn from contributing factor in the increased clear-up The media was quick to pick up on any At the time an interdepartmental committee familiar territory, particularly regarding ACT was the reduction in the number of other sign of disaffection by AFP members was assessing the AFP’s protection role crime statistics. matters referred to the AFP for investigation and by community leaders. In the main following the recommendations of Justice ACT crime statistics remained comparatively brought about by the introduction of revised Commissioner Woods felt they were Hope’s Review. Commissioner Woods stable in 1980–81, with only a 4.1 per procedures with some Commonwealth paying undue emphasis to relatively minor formed the opinion that, for the AFP to cent increase over the previous year. At the departments. differences and failing to recognise the develop into a first class police organisation

5 YEAR IN REVIEW

1980–81

and meet the objectives and priorities committee consisting of all Australian police felt the internationalisation of the AFP the Police Staff College, Bramshill, in the UK expected by government, ultimately, commissioners with responsibility to the would include such simple measures as and Assistant Commissioner Roy Farmer alternative arrangements would have to be Police Ministers’ Council. Commissioner endeavouring to make all overseas AFP followed in April 1981. made to meet the protection commitment Woods was elected as the committee chair officers useful members of the Missions The Australian Federal Police College, in the that came to the AFP as a component of for the first 12 months. to which they were attached, engaging in inner Canberra suburb of Barton, remained the Commonwealth Police. as wide a field of work as was considered International Contact the focus for providing management and appropriate by each Head of Mission. Interagency Cooperation specialised training to members. During the year, Commissioner Woods “Accepting the increasing complexity From the outset, Commissioner Woods received visits from a number of overseas Training opportunities were also available of crime and the threat imposed by identified cooperation between the AFP and senior police. Of particular note were from the Australian Police College in international criminals, it may not be the state and territory police as essential. the head of the Thai Police Force, Police Manly, the Victorian Police College, the unrealistic to foresee a day when Legal The number of successful joint operations Lieutenant-General Saneh Sittipunt, Administrative Staff College in Mt Eliza, and (Police) Attaches may be seen as a against organised crime and illicit drug and Pat Murphy, President of the Police the Defence Service Colleges. necessary adjunct to all overseas Missions,” trafficking was increasing and close working Foundation of America. Murphy was a he said. The AFP College also provided training for relationships between himself and the former Commissioner of Police of the members of police forces in the Asia-Pacific state police commissioners were being New York Police Department. In turn, he Training region, including the , the developed. visited South-East Asia and the Americas, Commissioner Woods saw the continued Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and attending the General Assembly of Evidence of this was the signing of the development of the AFP’s personnel as the Royal Malaysian Police. Interpol, the International Chiefs of Police Commonwealth–state agreement to essential to achieve the Government’s Association, and the 6th United Nations Drug Enforcement establish the Australian Bureau of Criminal expectations. He channelled resources Conference on the Prevention of Crime. Intelligence (ABCI) by the Australian Police to the retraining of some 750 members In Australia during the 1970s and early These visits and the discussions were an Ministers’ Council on 6 February 1981. transferred from the protective service 1980s there was a continued growth in the important part of his planned approach to The ABCI, which was staffed by suitably component to the general policing illicit drug industry, accompanied by a rise in the Government’s objective for the AFP to qualified members of the participating component. This training ran from March corruption of persons in authority. gain wide experience as an internationally police forces, was initially headed by a 1981 to August 1982. He knew that Planning for the formation of the AFP did recognised police force. director seconded from the training needed to take place at all ranks. not take into account any responsibility supported by an AFP deputy director. At the time, AFP officers assigned to Improved management training began with for federal drug investigations. When the Responsibility for the supervision of the Australian embassies were called Legal Deputy Commissioner John Johnson who Government announced its decision of ABCI’s activities rested with a management (Police) Attaches. Commissioner Woods attended the Senior Command Course at 6 November 1979 to transfer the functions

6 YEAR IN REVIEW

1980–81

and staff of the Narcotics Bureau to the AFP, no back-up expertise on which to call, opinion, that his force was: “denuded of necessary to blend the former Narcotics it became necessary to adopt a band-aid except for the limited capacity of the former resources which we could well use on Bureau personnel (including those not approach on operational and administrative ACT Police in the field of domestic drug pressing tasks of our own”. offered police ranks), with existing police matters. enforcement. members of relatively limited drug law “The provision of personnel to the various enforcement experience.” Understandably, major morale problems Another factor affecting federal drug law Commonwealth–state task forces must were created by the adverse publicity enforcement was the decision to divide continue to have the highest priority, despite Commissioner Woods obtained Ministerial surrounding the disbandment of the that responsibility between Customs some reservations about their overall approval to take steps to reinforce the AFP’s Narcotics Bureau and the uncertainty at the barrier and the AFP beyond the effectiveness.” ability to undertake drug investigations. These steps included upgrading the AFP regarding the career prospects of its former barrier. Previously, both the interception Commissioner Woods believed, contrary Drug Liaison posts [attached to Australian staff had inevitable adverse effects. This of drugs at the customs barrier and the to the Williams Royal Commission embassies in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, situation was exacerbated by the delay in ensuing investigation rested with one recommendations, there had been a Jakarta, Wellington (NZ), and London], having these officers appointed to police department. Commissioner Woods knew diffusion rather than consolidation of drug providing equipment and training to certain ranks, due to the need for changes in that it would take some time to recreate enforcement effort, and hoped that the Asian countries, and upgrading the strength legislation. These changes did not occur that close working relationship now that the ABCI would help to solve these problems. of the AFP’s drug units nationally to at least until 20 June 1980. responsibility would be shared between two 150 personnel (only slightly greater than organisations. He said: “While the ABCI will, I am sure, The number of Narcotics Bureau officers foster closer relationships in the intelligence the number in the former Narcotics Bureau). finally sworn in as police members Mistrust between the state police forces, field, there is a clear need for the AFP to Along with that, as far as he felt, he needed represented a 40 per cent reduction in the the former Narcotics Bureau and the former concentrate its attention on major drug to channel scarce staff resources in other enforcement strength of the Bureau before Commonwealth Police was well publicised, organisers and importers. Experience has areas of expertise within the AFP towards it was disbanded. The number of drug but close communication among the state shown that the necessary intelligence link major drug investigations. investigators was supplemented later by the police commissioners and the promotion between street distribution and importation addition of police officers not originally from of joint investigations resulted, in time, in a cannot be obtained solely from the state Additionally, effective liaison with Customs the Narcotics Bureau. considerable moderation of those attitudes drug squads. needed to continue by developing and a significant overall improvement in Customs–AFP intelligence units of the Prior to 6 November 1979, the former “Accordingly, it has been necessary that cooperation. kind that had been established with some Commonwealth Police were excluded, by the AFP develop its own viable intelligence success at the Sydney and administrative direction, from federal drug It was to the AFP’s advantage to promote capability in this area. Such a capacity airports. investigations. Therefore, the AFP assumed inter-jurisdictional cooperation even though cannot be developed overnight, particularly the responsibility for this role with virtually it often meant, in Commissioner Woods’ in the AFP’s case where it has been

7 YEAR IN REVIEW

1981–82

By his third annual report, appreciate the advantages seen by Commissioner Woods was taking government departments of having officers stock of the AFP’s structure, deciding it in AFP uniform guarding their premises, was now appropriate for one assistant he acknowledged the implied security commissioner to concentrate entirely expertise was an illusion. By necessity, the on policing in the Australian Capital level of training given to those involved Territory in order to address a perceived in guarding was adequate, but not as community concern over Canberra’s 29 November 1982 : For the first time an AFP recruit training course was comprised of comprehensive as those trained for significantly more women than men. There were 16 women and 7 men in this intake. policing arrangements. – Courtesy of ACT Heritage Library: Canberra Times Collection policing. In the AFP’s case, he said that the two- The post of Assistant Commissioner Public Service members) a number of cohesive, single-minded organisation could tiered structure festered a discontent, (National Operations) was created to: responsibilities formerly distributed among provide. He added that an impediment to “that tends to negate every advance oversee operations outside Canberra; the assistant commissioners. He believed creating a unified organisation was the we make towards a higher standard of address issues including the duties that an able public service element, whose requirement for the AFP to perform routine professionalism”. flowing to the AFP from the various royal members strongly identified with the aims protective service duties. Not that this work commissions in progress; and to represent of the force, would be indispensable to the was unimportant, it was just not a good fit National Activities the AFP on the management committees AFP. A separate Training Department under at the time in the broader policing model. In October 1981 the Commonwealth of the various task forces. the responsibility of a deputy commissioner He felt that too many compromises Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was also created. Commissioner Woods felt this division of were made when the original concept was held in Melbourne. The AFP sent responsibilities was necessary and was Commissioner Woods conceded that, while was under consideration. Where other 250 officers to assist the Victoria Police encouraged by the increased operational the implementation of the final stage of his police forces, such as the Royal Canadian in providing security for the venue and effectiveness since the change had been design for the organisation was progressing, Mounted Police, had managed to delegates attending the meeting. In introduced. there was still much work required to encompass quite different roles within particular, the AFP was responsible for This reorganisation was facilitated by the improve morale and esprit de corps. He the same organisation, they had usually the policing and security of Tullamarine started with one major advantage ­— that appointment of a Second Division Public went as far as to say he was saddened Airport, the provision of VIP escorts to the members of those in the different Servant as Chief Executive Officer, which that public dissension between small Heads of Delegations and the provision of components had volunteered for their enabled Commissioner Woods to transfer cliques from the two former police forces bomb search teams and response groups particular career path. to the Office of the AFP (the area that tended to deny the community the sense to supplement and assist the Victoria coordinated the work of the AFP’s Australian of security and satisfaction that only a While Commissioner Woods could Police engaged in these activities.

8 YEAR IN REVIEW

1981–82

When the CHOGM delegates attended a Cooperative arrangements extended highlighted a need for a new approach to long been the focus of high profile retreat in Canberra, the AFP, being the local to AFP members forming teams with the problem, such as the creation of an demonstrations, but usually in the vicinity as well as the national police, became sole officers from Queensland, Victoria and Australian crime commission and improved of Parliament House. In the early 1980s agency responsible for all aspects of security. Police, investigators for police training. Having spent most of his the issues competing for public attention the royal commissions on drug trafficking, career in the London Metropolitan Police Concern for security was high because only included land rights, equal rights for women the Builders Labourers’ , the which had a long tradition of operating three years before in 1978, the Sydney and the anti-nuclear movement. However, in Ship Painters and Dockers, and the Meat within legislation providing safeguards Hilton Hotel was bombed during CHOGM’s 1982 it was the Industry. for the accused, he had concerns that regional offshoot, the Commonwealth that was the focus of a protest that drew the Fraser Government might fashion an Heads of Government Regional Meeting Similarly the Joint Commonwealth–NSW Commissioner Woods into a public debate Australian crime commission along the lines (CHOGRM). Drug Task Force in Sydney continued its over issues of actual, and perceived, civil of the American model which in his opinion work in the targeting of major drug figures liberties. Joint Task Forces risked not having the safeguards offered by in New South Wales. The passing of thePublic Assemblies Joint task forces were a practical example the British model. Overseas the AFP, in conjunction with Ordinance 1982 recognised the right of of inter-agency cooperation. AFP–Victoria To improve the AFP’s level of expertise he regional police forces, was responsible peaceful assembly with article 21 of the Police task forces in Melbourne provided was an enthusiastic advocate for overseas for a number of arrests dealing with International Covenant on Civil and Political the information that resulted in the training opportunities for Australian police. drugs destined for Australia. The level of Rights effectively making the Commissioner Commonwealth and Victoria Governments He maintained that Australian police forces cooperation between police forces not only of Police the adjudicator for applications to deciding to establish a royal commission were hampered in tackling the emerging within the South Pacific, South East–Asia, engage in a street march. to examine the affairs of the Builders criminal trends and were denied some Europe and the Americas continued at a Labourers’ Federation. Another task force of enforcement powers available to their Commissioner Woods applied the letter of high level enabling the AFP not only to deal led to the arrest of members of an alleged overseas counterparts, with criminals entering Australia, but also the law and said he could find no grounds major drug trafficking ring, an exercise to offer constructive support to other law The Rule of Law for denying permission for the group which, in many areas, provided a model for enforcement agencies. known as Women Against Rape in War to future cooperative efforts. Planned protests at the 1982 national participate in the Anzac Day march, despite Developments in Australia Anzac Day march provided Commissioner The success of a joint AFP–Northern the highly publicised objections of the Woods with what was probably an Territory Police drugs squad located in During 1981–82, public pressure remained march organisers. While this decision was unwelcome distraction from mainstream Darwin led to an agreement between high for police to tackle organised crime not received well by the wider public, he policing. Police and the AFP in combining and corruption in the political arena. saw this as an application of the rule of law drug squads in Tasmania. Commissioner Woods felt that this Canberra, as the national capital, had over the vagaries of transient public opinion.

9 YEAR IN REVIEW

1981–82

He said: “Given the Australian tradition of Conference of Police Commissioners of Overseas Representation honouring their ex-service men and women Australasia and the South West Pacific Increasing the AFP’s strength overseas Region. The police commissioners from as well as serving members of the Armed had stalled; in the 18 months of the AFP’s Forces on Anzac Day, this decision was not all Australian jurisdictions were given the operation there had only been Government one which taken with any pleasure, but it opportunity to discuss with the Attorney- approval to increase the AFP’s overseas was the only legal option. General, Senator Peter Durack, their postings by one officer to the United States. perceptions of and concern at certain Major Legislative Changes sections of the Criminal Investigation Commissioner Woods had recognised early The proclamation of theComplaints (AFP) Bill which was before the Parliament. the importance of developing good relations Act 1981 provided a legal basis for the The Attorney-General also agreed to a with the heads of police of Australia’s system of accountability and review by the small working group established by the regional neighbours and during the previous 12 months he had met with senior police Commonwealth Ombudsman under which commissioners to discuss those issues with in Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Hong the AFP had operated voluntarily for some his department, with a view to reaching a Kong. He saw this as a necessary step to 18 months. The Act provided a vehicle for speedy appreciation of the difficulties as the make any impact on the drug trade in such complaint, investigation and independent police saw them. a large, but sparsely populated country as review compelling a satisfactory level of During the year, the Australian Police Australia. accountability for all actions taken by police Ministers’ Council (APMC) continued officers. There were 250 complaints made “One cannot hope to have great success developing cooperative and common service to the Ombudsman or to the AFP during in dealing with the drug problem only police arrangements in Australia. Following inside Australia’s borders. Our efforts must 1981–82. on the establishment of the ABCI the APMC, therefore be based on a sound criminal Also during that year, in preparation for at its meeting of 21 May 1982, finalised intelligence operation overseas which will the anticipated implementation of the the details of, and signed an agreement to enable us to concentrate our efforts where Freedom of Information Act, strategies were establish, the National Police Research Unit. results are most likely to be achieved,“ prepared to enable the AFP to meet its The Council also endorsed in principle the he said. statutory obligations that accompanied the establishment of a Police Forensic Science legislation. Institute. Cooperative arrangements in the areas of firearms management, illegal betting Police Commissioners’ Conference and extortion of commercial businesses were In March 1982 the AFP hosted the also initiated.

10 Chapter 2: The Grey Years 1983 – 1988

11 with the AFP recovering $17 million for one YEAR IN REVIEW sales tax evasion scheme alone that meant a boost to Commonwealth revenue by some $750,000 per month as a result. 1982–83 Similar successful investigations were also contributing to a substantial return to Government with Commissioner Grey suggesting that as the AFP expanded its investigations into fraud against Medibank (introduced in 1975) and illegal currency Ron Grey, a Major General with dealings, it could result in a gain of many the Australian Army, became AFP millions of dollars to Commonwealth Commissioner on 16 February 1983 revenue. and within a month put into effect a Overseas Representation reorganisation to create a functional command structure with, as he saw it, By mid 1983 the AFP had liaison posts in clear lines of authority, responsibility London, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and accountability. Los Angeles and New Zealand all primarily concerned with cooperating with local Also within a month, the Fraser Coalition authorities on major drug and organised Government was replaced with the Hawke crime aspects affecting Australia and the Labor Government, with 23 December 1982: A damaged vehicle at the Sydney Hakoah Club which was bombed host countries. shortly after the Israeli Consulate-General also in Sydney. – Australian Bomb Data Centre appointed Special Minister of State, Collection While Commissioner Grey had only been in making him the AFP’s minister. the job a few months when he submitted financial year, the AFP’s workload generated Commissioner Grey set about creating criminal law and providing police services the 1982–83 annual report, he quickly an overtime bill of $11 million as part of a departments for Investigations, General to the ACT. expressed the same degree of frustration total salaries bill of $85.935 million. Policing, Training and Personnel and In the wake of several royal commissions, of his predecessor about the AFP’s role Services, each under the command of the AFP was experiencing a flood of Commissioner Grey also found the in providing a protective service to the Commonwealth. While the investigative arm an assistant commissioner. Command investigations into organised crime and AFP’s accommodation was piecemeal. responsibility for operations in the ACT of the Commonwealth Police and the ACT drug trafficking. There was also a growing In Canberra alone, its members were was now in the hands of the Deputy spread through 17 buildings with the Police had much in common in role and awareness of a rising levels of social security Commissioner. He also created the Office standard of some being so “appalling” that rank structure, the guarding function was fraud and fraud against the Government- of the Commissioner of Police reporting to he said: “Unless an adequate standard not proving to be such a neat fit. the Chief of Staff. funded health insurance scheme Medibank and centralisation of accommodation Commissioner Grey also shared that demanded substantially greater police for the Force is achieved, we will not be Commissioner Grey was quick to point Commissioner Woods’ enthusiasm for investigative resources than first anticipated. in a position to deliver the standard of out in his first annual report to Minister quality training and said: “Only by making police services I expect and I believe the Beazley that there were “deficiencies The AFP was also being depleted of skilled the appropriate effort in the area [training] Government requires.” in resources” particularly the constant investigators who were being attracted to can we hope to consistently meet the demand placed on the AFP by the investigation arms of other departments Regardless, the AFP’s performance on drug high standards demanded of the policing Government and the community to offering higher salaries. More work with seizures and convictions was impressive, as profession. If training was not adequate, the investigate crimes under Commonwealth fewer officers meant, for the 1982–83 was its performance in fraud investigation force has no future.”

12 YEAR IN REVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW 1983–84 YEAR

After his first full year as head of the of resources was at risk of becoming AFP, Commissioner Grey was now dangerously thin. reporting to the Special Minister He said: “To date, demands have had to be of State, , and primarily finely balanced against existing resources, concerned with adjusting the senior which were already marginal. If increased command structure to meet the requests on the use of the AFP continue to constantly increasing importance of grow, we run a very real risk of standards the investigations being undertaken 1 December 1984: First Constable Peter Middelhuis finds himself escorting two anti- deteriorating. Our manpower is the critical by the AFP. nuclear protestors from the Naval establishment HMAS Stirling in Perth. – AFP Museum Collection factor and must increase commensurate with our tasks. For example, the coastal This required the existing Deputy need to think of the future; both contend for considered was the inevitable approach of surveillance role is not just a perpetuation Commissioner to assume control of the attention and both are equally important.” ACT self-government and the continuing of existing procedures.” Investigations Department and the creation increases in AFP responsibilities. He also commissioned a management of a second Deputy Commissioner to take As an example of the ongoing and review of the AFP to be undertaken jointly Commissioner Grey proposed that a over administration. anticipated stress on staffing levels by Price Waterhouse Associates and AFP review of the charter with a redefined, Commissioner Grey cited the Beazley Consequently, the position of updated set of objectives and priorities be personnel. The review recommended further Report, which made quite clear the Eastern Region was upgraded to organisational changes, among legislative developed during 1984–85. Assistant Commissioner, with additional need to upgrade the quality of coastal and other proposals. Resources supervisory responsibility for Northern and surveillance. Northern Territory Regions. The Assistant Objectives and Priorities In the 1983–84 Budget, the Australian The 1983 Beazley Report placed the Commissioner ACT Region also assumed Commissioner Grey considered the original Government approved an allocation focus of coastal surveillance on drug supervisory responsibility over Southern, AFP charter needed revision to reflect both to the AFP of $4 million for additional smuggling, a stance that was accepted by Central, Western and Tasmania Regions. the policies of the Government and the personnel, acknowledging the increased the Government. The Coastal Protection These changes were made to enhance the significant changes in the law enforcement demands on the AFP. Unit was set up in the AFP to manage control and balance of the AFP and provide and coordinate the overall national coastal environment since the AFP’s inception. This Commissioner Grey’s point of view was an improved command structure. surveillance and protection system. revision was even more pressing given that when additional and quite separate Commissioner Grey said: “The refinement the Government had eventually agreed to functions were imposed on the AFP, To cope with the task of upgrading is ongoing, but there is a constant dilemma the separation of the protective service such as Federal Law Court protection coordination, direction and control between the emergencies of today and the component from the AFP. Also to be and coastal surveillance, the spread Australia wide, Commissioner Grey said he

13 YEAR IN REVIEW

1983–84

would require more than the 37 personnel a centralised headquarters in Canberra authorised for the role adding: “It should adequately appointed to bring together be said, looking to the future, that effective a workforce that was widely dispersed surveillance must be accompanied by throughout Canberra in buildings that in effective law enforcement response.” some cases had been built in the 1940s. This new role in coastal surveillance A former government hostel, Havelock caused Commissioner Grey to comment House on in 14 December 1983: The Hawke Government announced initiatives to separate the protective Canberra, was allocated to the AFP for on the broader topic of maintaining service component from the roles undertaken by the AFP. This was achieved by 20 October effective staffing levels. “I must stress 1984 with the transfer of the majority of officers involved in protection work to the newly created office space, but only after prolonged, again that trained manpower is not an Australian Protective Service. – Courtesy of ACT Heritage Library: Canberra Times Collection interdepartmental negotiations under inexhaustible resource,” he said. the pressure of persistent public protests. Vietnam in 1973. Peace and anti-nuclear law enforcement that the Government Protesters demanded that the building While there had been no problems in activist along with those supporting the was directing to the AFP which were not be used for low-cost community obtaining suitable recruits for the AFP – in women’s movement, Aboriginal land supported by additional staffing. accommodation. Diagonally opposite fact, there were waiting lists for intakes rights, the conservation movement and Commissioner Grey called for the Havelock House, the second and third – induction and recruit training, could those wanting to bring an end to gender Government to consider the staffing floors of NRMA House were also made not be rushed if it was to be done well. discrimination were just a sample of the implications for each of the new duties it available to the AFP enabling some The progression through more advanced interest groups continuing to take to the found for the AFP to police. His obvious concentration of essential elements selective training and the acquisition streets in large numbers. aim was to secure sufficient officers to for efficient functioning and control. of essential in-service experience was Such events were a tremendous drain on maintain a force of sufficient strength and Nevertheless, Commissioner Grey something that also took time. resources for the AFP to police, because expertise to meet its charter. hoped that the scheduled 1985 start to construction of the proposed AFP Commissioner Grey said: “No force can the AFP attended demonstrations not only Accommodation headquarters building had neither operate efficiently while continually in Canberra, but also at any number of lessened in priority nor would be unduly deploying personnel from ‘normal’ areas Commonwealth establishments throughout Commissioner Grey felt that a single delayed. to fight outbreaks anywhere else.” Australia. In Commissioner Grey’s opinion headquarters building was the key to there was no likelihood of the number of bringing a higher degree of coherency “A national force deserves a national The Burden of Public Protests protests diminishing and so policing them to the organisation. His argument was headquarters, readily identified as such in Large public demonstrations did not cease would remain a burden on AFP resources. clear; to deliver the standard of police the national capital, not leased premises in in Australia with the end of the war in This burden extended to all new areas of services expected of it, the AFP needed the NRMA building,” he said.

14 YEAR IN REVIEW

1983–84

Fighting Crime Australian , and the it was true that the AFP was a federal other states and overseas provides a broad Departments of Social Security and Health force with a national role, but this was not experience unique to the AFP for officers, Aside from increasing operational and is close, successful and ongoing and has to the detriment of its general policing and which in turn reflects to the advantage administrative pressures, in 1983—84 yielded pleasing and significant results. responsibilities in the Australian Capital of the ACT. there were significant achievements in Our continuing work with the special Territory. combating major crime. “I refute any suggestion that the ACT is prosecutors set up to pursue matters “It is not insignificant that out of a total either disadvantaged, or has an inadequate This included the total drug seizures for the stemming from the Costigan and Stewart strength of approximately 2,400 general level of policing,” he said. year of 112kg of heroin, 12kg of cocaine Royal Commissions is also effective. policing officers, on average 800 had been and close to 3 tonnes of cannabis products Liaison with the state police continues Looking to a national arena, Commissioner in the ACT Region. as well as major investigations into medical to be harmonious, cooperative and Grey welcomed the impending creation of insurance fraud and the infamous bottom- productive,” he said. “At the time of amalgamation into the the NCA and welcomed the prospect of AFP the strength of the ACT Police Force of the-harbour tax avoidance scheme. Turning his comments to policing in the the AFP working with such an authority. was approximately 500; the ACT is better ACT, Commissioner Grey addressed, as all Commissioner Grey contended that the served now in police strength than it has Family Law Court Judges AFP had achieved a better use of resources subsequent commissioners have in turn, been in the past, even allowing for the With the escalation of attacks against the by more effective screening, targeting and the thorny issue of calls for a separate population increase,” he said. Family Court, yet another unanticipated surveillance. A number of substantial drug force to police the nation’s capital saying: responsibility came the AFP’s way. importations had been intercepted with “The media and some local bodies He argued that the logistic, training and The outbreak of threats and violence resultant arrests and convictions of the periodically expound the view that the general support infrastructure of the larger specifically directed against certain judges principals involved. ACT is disadvantaged by not having its AFP was of obvious benefit [to the ACT] own police force and that in the event enhancing the standard of policing within was a relatively new event. Commissioner Like Commissioner Woods, Commissioner of self-government, the situation will be the Territory and the value of the AFP Grey called these actions reprehensible, Grey was a proponent of interagency exacerbated further. It has been said that providing the general policing services to but knew that providing officers to protect cooperation and asked the Minister to as the AFP has taken on a wider national the ACT was often neither fully appreciated the homes and vehicles of all judges note that a large number of seizures had role, the public and police [in Canberra] nor understood by the critics. throughout Australia and their families been made possible by the vigilance have grown apart and further to that a would only be possible if other tasks were “The experience gained by working in and efficiency of Customs at Australia’s problem has been the concern of the AFP either markedly reduced in priority or close contact with the public provided the international barriers. with national police issues.” cancelled. basis of responsibility and service which “Cooperation in the field with investigators Commissioner Grey insisted that the facts is inherent in a police force of integrity. The only practical solution was to work in the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), did not support such an argument saying Conversely, the opportunity to serve in in conjunction with state police and to

15 YEAR IN REVIEW

1983–84

respond quickly to specific or assessed expense of officer training. The situation industry. Crime is profitable and a threats. This was the approach being used was redressed with an officers’ course, but tougher line is needed. I believe an for certain VIPs and diplomatic persons. Commissioner Grey was quick to point out increasing number of people see crime as a ‘legitimate profession’ in which to Training that, despite the initial lack of formal officer training, the technical professionalism and engage. The best technology and legal In Commissioner Grey’s view, the Training leadership displayed throughout the AFP was advice is available to top criminals, often Department, re-organised in March 1983, commendable and satisfying. ahead of that used by or available to law had responded well to the demands enforcement agencies. The lesson to be placed on it to develop and improve the Overseas Representation drawn from this is that if law enforcement standard of recruit and in-service specialist During the year, liaison officers had been is to maintain the status quo, let alone training. A record 138 recruits graduated stationed in London (Interpol), Bangkok, redress the balance, it is going to cost us in one passing-out parade at the AFP Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Los Angeles, as a nation,” he said. College at Weston on 31 May 1984. Islamabad, Washington and Wellington with “Regrettably this simple fact is not either Equal Opportunity arrangements in progress for Manila and recognised or admitted by many. The Hong Kong. Increased flows of intelligence Among the 370 graduating recruits in lessening of crime in this country requires on organised crime and narcotics with 1983–84 were 91 women making female the best efforts of all, now and in the police officers 2.7 per cent of the sworn consequent seizures were a practical immediate future, if Australia is to be AFP at the time. demonstration of the effectiveness of these worthwhile for generations yet to come.” officers. Multiculturalism was also making its This again was a sentiment that would presence felt in the AFP; of the graduates The Cost of Efficient Policing be often expressed by subsequent AFP commissioners. mentioned above, 25 were overseas born Gaining a perspective on crime in Australia, and 49 had one or both parents born in Commissioner Grey said that it was worth other countries. noting that in most countries, crime Professionalism and Leadership increased in proportion to the considerable resources and money poured into its In such a young organisation training was development and that this was true for concentrated on immediate needs. For Australia. two years the AFP gave priority to training recruits and specialist courses at the “The Australian crime scene is a growth

16 YEAR IN REVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW 1984–85 YEAR

Submitting his third annual report, Staffing Commissioner Grey announced With demands on the AFP continually to Minister Mick Young that the increasing, adequate staffing still remained a recommendations of the Joint problem. Commissioner Grey said while he Management Review were nearing had no argument against providing protection completion with a significant aspect against specific threats, continuing to provide of this being the transfer of the a continuous high level of protection of the 25 December 1984: The Christmas Day shift in the communications room located on the protective service component to the Family Law Courts and judges when no Department of Local Government and first floor of City Station. The ‘comms’ room was located in the middle of the station with no access to outside walls. Shown on duty are (right to left around the bench) First Constable specific threat existed was damaging the Administrative Services. Peter Dawe, Constable Mark Donohue, Constable Michael Chew and Senior Constable efficiency and morale of the force. Peter Irgang. – Canberra Times Photo The AFP now had two deputy Airport Security commissioners; one responsible for Automated Data Processing (ADP), the Policing the ACT operations, the other for administration, forerunner to Information Technology, was To add to the AFP’s distraction from In the ACT, where the focus was on along with a new position of Secretary beginning to pay off by enabling much fundamental policing was the increased housebreakings, armed robberies and to the AFP established to assume the more effective correlation of criminal public concerns following the publicity expanded responsibilities of the former intelligence data allowing a more effective thefts from motor vehicles, the AFP had given to aircraft hijackings and other position of Chief Executive Officer. long-term targeting of individuals known to greatly expanded the Neighbourhood terrorist activities overseas. Watch program to 19 watch areas. By July Drug trafficking and organised crime were be involved at the higher levels of organised In the early 1980s there were regular aircraft 1985 this resulted in a degree of control on now attracting most of the AFP’s attention crime. hijackings in the northern hemisphere. By the housebreaking problem and at the same bringing with it the need to train more Public debate on organised crime had 1985 there had been at least two major time an increased community awareness of investigations staff, improve intelligence been spurred by the release of the Costigan ‘skyjacking’ attempts per year perpetrated gathering, surveillance, technical and Report, the establishment of the NCA other criminal activities. Commissioner Grey mostly by individuals or small groups seeking particularly electronics support and and the high public profile of the Hawke was moved to tell the minister: “The ACT asylum or public attention to perceived . Government’s Drug Summit. Commissioner Region deserves commendation for its service political injustices. Several of these hijackings resulted in passenger deaths. The previous year had been one where Grey expressed concern that these new in policing the ACT, in my view second to there had been increases in the number of initiatives would be a further drain on AFP none in the effective law-enforcement role High-profileterrorism incidents included the investigations into drug importations, large- resources to the detriment on ongoing of similar size and structured communities US Embassy bombing in Beirut, resulting scale income tax and sales tax evasion. national investigations. within Australia.” in more than 60 US service personnel

17 YEAR IN REVIEW

1984–85

killed and he IRA’s bombing of the British Training Conservative Party conference at the Grand As Commissioner Woods had noted, Hotel in Brighton which killed five senior Commissioner Grey saw the foundations party members connected to the British of a successful future for the AFP lay in Cabinet. providing high-level and quality training In October 1984, Indian Prime Minister for its members. Three categories of Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh training existed at the time: recruit training, bodyguards, and in Italy the Naples–Milan specialist training and career development. Express train was blown up in a bombing July 1984: Operation Lavender began in July 1984 and was a coordinated investigation Recruit training was a combination of a attack attributed to the Mafia. into a major cannabis importation. The operation culminated in August 1985 with the arrest basic training course, structured on-the- of 20 offenders and the dismantling of a major criminal enterprise.– AFP Museum Collection In February of 1985 an IRA mortar job training and local procedures training attack killed nine police officers in Newry in the regions. The emphasis was on there was a minimum police presence at with each investigative success, the AFP’s (Northern Ireland). In the following April, introducing the trainee to investigating most airports and essentially no counter- using a remote controlled bomb, the IRA resources were being stretched ever thinner. skills early in his or her career, considered terrorist capability provided by the AFP assassinated Lord Justice Maurice Gibson In 1984–85 there was an unexpected necessary due to the AFP’s role. outside the ACT. Response outside the ACT and his wife. 40 per cent surge in the number public Specialist training included detective relied on arrangements with state police. protests in Canberra adding to the continual Closer to home, in July 1985, the training, with the emphasis placed on the Commissioner Grey had a second area increase in costs of overtime. He made an Greenpeace flagship,Rainbow Warrior was three major specialist areas associated of concern, and one most senior police impassioned plea to the Minister: “You are with AFP investigations: drug operations, bombed in Auckland Harbour resulting continually deal with: a constant strain aware of my views on the cost of efficient fraud and criminal intelligence. Specialist in the death of photographer Fernando on resources, particularly in the AFP’s policing. Crime is costing the nation dearly courses in areas such as driver training and Pereira. case with increasing demand from already, and unless the needs of policing in firearms continued. While the Australian public at large had the Commonwealth Director of Public Australia are recognised and effective police The third category was career development not experienced this level of terrorism, Prosecutions (CDPP) and the newly formed counter measures initiated, the loss to our training aimed at qualifying members there was still a call for an increased police NCA. Both of these organisations were nation will be incalculable. A band-aid for promotion. The annual written presence and more effective security drawing on the AFP for its experienced and approach to the problem must not continue examinations system was discontinued measures at airports. high standard officers. or the AFP will be unable to develop a and formal qualifying courses introduced Commissioner Grey openly admitted that Commissioner Grey’s frustration was that preventive as well as reactive capability.” in which students were assessed by

18 YEAR IN REVIEW

1984–85

way of assignments, simulations and International Conferences in particular an AFP ongoing program on relinquish the building after occupying it presentations. explosives analysis being conducted at only since mid-1983. The leased building In September 1984, Commissioner Grey the Forensic Science Centre in . at 68 Northbourne Avenue consolidated Selected training courses were presented led the Australian delegation to the 53rd the location of many AFP elements of in the regions, enabling more members to General Assembly of Interpol, also taking The introduction of the long- the force but still left other important the opportunity while in Europe to visit overdue Australian Police Medal attend courses at less cost due to the lower operational and technical areas in primitive police forces in the , Italy was also discussed. Aspects of the travel and accommodation expenditure. and inadequate accommodation. A further benefit of regional training was and the Federal Republic of . award were considered and agreed that the content of some courses could He felt the trip was invaluable in serving recommendations were conveyed to the Regional offices in Sydney and Melbourne faced similar problems of unsuitable be varied to reflect conditions unique to a to emphasise the international nature of Secretary of the Special Minister of State. accommodation. The standard of particular region. crime and the necessity for international In particular it was emphasised by the efforts to combat it. commissioners that the award should accommodation was particularly acute in Overseas Representation be introduced at the earliest practicable Victoria and described as the worst of any The annual Conference of Commissioners time—hopefully for the Queen’s Birthday Commonwealth department. The AFP continued to increase the number of Police of Australasia and the South Honours List in June 1986. of liaison officers stationed overseas West Pacific Region was held in Madang, in those areas important to the control Papua New Guinea (PNG), in June 1985 Accommodation of the flow of drugs, organised crime and focused on the measures introduced The AFP’s accommodation in Canberra and illegal currency transactions. by the PNG Government to resolve the continued to be a problem. Despite its During 1984–85, liaison officers were country’s law-enforcement problems. importance to the AFP’s future, a start to Stemming from these talks, all Australian established in Manila, Hong Kong and the construction of a national headquarters police commissioners agreed to identify Singapore and plans were in place building was no closer. Although the areas where assistance could be given to to establish a post in London with planning stage was completed in early the Royal PNG Constabulary, particularly responsibility for Western Europe. 1983, funding for construction kept being in training support. Commissioner Grey was convinced postponed. Domestic arrangements the continued success of the AFP’s An interim solution of leasing a overseas posts in providing intelligence, Commissioner Grey sought and obtained commercial office building was adopted, particularly on drug trafficking and support from the Australian police because the ongoing agitation for organised crime, had proven their value commissioners to participate in funding Havelock House to be turned over beyond doubt. a number of scientific research programs; to community housing saw the AFP

19 YEAR IN REVIEW

1985–86

Operation Lavender was a Whether it was related to the substandard cornerstone of the AFP’s working conditions or perhaps the growing achievements in 1985–86. It was case load mentioned earlier, Commissioner a drug seizure that culminated in Grey revealed that during the year there had August of 1985 in the arrest of 20 been “releases and leaks to the press both offenders and the dismantling of a within and outside the AFP. major criminal enterprise involved in “These, in my view, had been counter- drug trafficking. Almost one tonne April 1987: A large consignment of cannabis was imported by boat to Byron Bay. productive and I question the ethical of cannabis resin was seized in AFP officers seized 1.3 tonnes of compressed cannabis heads, a fishing trawler and approximately $54,000 in cash, and made two arrests. – AFP Museum Collection position of those AFP members who Sydney along with $226,000 worth choose such a course. I cannot think of of vessels and motor vehicles and a single useful result to come from them. $66,000 in cash. and raising public awareness of illicit drugs capability at Australian airports maintaining On the contrary, from my viewpoint those and their effect on Australian society. that there was “little capacity to respond to a concerned have looked petty, frustrated In the annual report to Minister Young, sudden increase in the level of threat.” and often ridiculous. Commissioner Grey pointed out the Despite the publicity generated by the significance of the AFP’s contribution to the summit, Commissioner Grey was clear in Accommodation “I have clearly stated my position to the telling the Minister that little real progress national fight against drugs and organised Accommodation for much of the AFP’s AFP: any handover to the media, outside crime as being due to the diligence and had been made in the vital area of legislation membership did not improve either: the venue of proper public relations, of professionalism of a relatively small group of essential to fight effectively against drug “Despite the progress being made, many documents or information was a breach investigators. trafficking. He said legislation needed to AFP members continue to work in appalling of integrity and an abuse of the trust and allow confiscation of assets, permit police corporate responsibility of commissioned “I am convinced that the development of this conditions,” Commissioner Grey said. access to taxation and banking records, officers, non-commissioned officers and capability is the most cost effective means create the offence of sending illicit drugs “Accommodation allocated to the AFP at as members of the AFP. I by which our society can control the evils of Sydney and Brisbane Airport is appalling; it through the mail, amend the Customs Act further consider the use by the media drugs and corruption which are ravaging it is plainly some of the worst accommodation and clarify the powers to detain and search of the ‘Judas with documents’ equally today. The capability which is needed can that could be envisaged for anybody serving persons concealing drugs internally. unethical.” only be achieved by sustained Government in government. commitment,” he said. Terrorism “It was only because police were members TheHawke Government held its Drug Commissioner Grey still maintained concerns of a disciplined and dedicated force that the Summit in early 1985, generating publicity for the barely basic level of counter-terrorism conditions had been tolerated,” he said.

20 YEAR IN REVIEW

1986–87

By the time of his fifth annual report, The increasing incidence of computer Commissioner Grey confidently crime was of growing concern. With expressed to the Minister for Justice few home-based personal computers and Consumer Affairs, Michael Tate: “I available at this time, the Internet had a believe the AFP has matured into an low public profile and was being used effective law enforcement organisation mainly by academics, large corporations which has clear objectives and is and computer enthusiasts. An emerging having a significant impact on criminal March 1987: Five people were charged with importing 5kg of high quality heroin from number of ‘hackers’ started to find their activities throughout our nation.” Pakistan concealed inside soccer balls. – AFP Museum Collection way into government and big business Government must be prepared to pass Although not yet introduced to computer systems, motivated initially for He was confident that the AFP was attracting effective legislation and provide adequate Parliament, the Amendment to the the challenge and then for more sinister quality recruits who were well motivated and resources to its law enforcement arm. Taxation Administration Act 1953 reasons. responsive to the comprehensive training The community must recognise the was being processed. This amendment program now in place. This was a new and a unique area of damage inflicted on itself by the criminal allowed controlled access to taxation criminal activity not adequately covered “These young men and women are our element and be prepared to fully support records and would be critical to the by existing legislation. The inadequacies greatest asset. The Government and the the police in their investigations.” solution of many major crimes in the included a lack of focus on criminal senior management of the AFP must Legislation future. computer misuse leading to legal appreciate the problems these young During this period, long sought after The enactment of this legislation gave uncertainties. Existing penalties were people face in what was often a hostile legislation was introduced that would access to new and very important minor when measured against the work environment and ensure their enable federal authorities to enhance sources of both intelligence and potential damage that could be caused. In interests had been protected,” he said. their ability to apprehend and punish evidence. But again Commissioner some jurisdictions a person could break Commissioner Grey was of the opinion major criminals in Australia. Grey emphasised that if this legislation into a computer system and read the data, that the control of crime depended not The legislation introduced included: was to be used effectively the resource but not be subject to prosecution. only on an efficient police force, but implications could not be ignored. For n Telecommunications (Interception) Resourcing the ACT also on Government and community Amendment Bill 1987 example, trained personnel in increasing support. He was not the first senior n Proceeds of Crime Bill 1987 numbers would now be required to Commissioner Grey took an opportunity police officer to call to an awakening of n Mutual Assistance in Criminal follow the money trail authorities now in the 1986–87 annual report to address the Government and the community to Matters Bill 1987 had access to, or analyse the intelligence the resources allocated to policing the the insidiousness of crime saying: “The n Cash Transaction Reports Bill 1987 gained through a telephone intercept. ACT community.

21 YEAR IN REVIEW

1986–87

“The human resources allocation to Of paramount importance was Australian Capital Territory policing has Commissioner Grey’s official visit to only been increased marginally since the the People’s Republic of China at the Government issued AFP Objectives and invitation of the Public Security Ministry, Priorities in 1985. However, with the where the initial steps were taken to rising crime rate and the development of establish a program of cooperation new suburbs, the time is approaching for and possibly staff exchanges aimed at some increases in human resources to 26 November 1986: As part of the Papal visit of John Paul II to Australia in 1986 the AFP curbing international crime. be made to ACT policing. provided all layers of protection at mass held at Canberra Race Course. – AFP Museum Collection Superannuation “Resources will be further stretched numbers and some to the Attorney- been proved groundless; another had On the industrial front, Commissioner when the new Parliament House opens. General’s Department on a long-term Its size, complex design and landscaped previously been well investigated several Grey said there was considerable basis, indicating that some deployments grounds will be difficult to police, times by departmental officers before room for improvement in existing AFP of investigating teams had been made particularly during demonstrations. The referral to the AFP–nothing new was superannuation arrangements. The trend at the request of other Government proposed shedding of the Diplomatic found,” he said. of increases in invalidity retirements, departments, often on either rather than age retirement, had serious and Consular Protection function will International Activities unnecessary or trivial tasks. reduce the total number of police cost implications for Government and available in the ACT for unexpected Commissioner Grey gave notice that from The AFP’s international activities operational efficiency considerations for emergent situations, situations that could that time requests for AFP assistance continued to expand. As the Australian the AFP. He believed it was essential to well arise forcing the AFP to call on the from Government departments would representative to Interpol, Commissioner the AFP’s future operational efficiency that New South Wales Police for assistance,” now be closely vetted before being Grey was in a position to promote the a better retirement formula be developed he said. accepted. His annoyance at political AFP internationally and to promote the making optional early age retirement motives for some of the referred work of its overseas liaison posts. economically attractive and breaking the Commissioner Grey was also addressing investigations caused him to say: “The existing nexus with the Australian Public the AFP’s capital expenditure, particularly During 1986–87, the AFP continued AFP will not be used to report on matters Service scheme which he believed was with the need to move into the key building its international relationships by which result from either inept internal inappropriate for a disciplined sworn areas of forensic support, operational hosting representatives from overseas administration or malicious accusations. officer force subject to the AFP Act and equipment and ADP. Again, he drew law enforcement agencies including the Complaints (AFP) Act 1981. attention to the drain of experienced “One such referral consumed considerable the Royal Thai Police, Royal Papua New investigators to the NCA in increasing AFP resources and the allegations had Guinea Constabulary and the FBI. AFP members had been aware of the

22 YEAR IN REVIEW

1986–87

growing trend in some other Australian began in late 1987 for a replacement police areas for generous lump-sum Commissioner. The Commissioner retirement schemes, such as that for the Northern Territory Police and available to members of the Victoria Emergency Services, Peter McAulay was Police. subsequently selected and took up the position in early 1988 at which time Ron Accommodation Grey retired. During the year the AFP occupied the interim National Headquarters facing Veteran’s Park on Northbourne Avenue, April 1987: A major development in Australian international police relations took place in Canberra. Commissioner Grey expected when Commissioner Grey toured the People’s Republic of China; he was the first Australian Police Commissioner to do so. – AFP Museum Collection the building to enable new standards in security and facility integration to In Melbourne, a leased building was Airport Policing be set. Although the building was not to be fitted out specifically for the AFP Commissioner Grey was calling for a ideal, he felt its occupation was an Southern Command Headquarters and final decision from Government on who important milestone for the AFP, enabling was expected to be occupied in late was to provide community policing and headquarters functions to be centralised; 1987. A site for the Northern Command security services at airports and the many for the first time. Headquarters in Sydney had been selected in Goulburn St and the new extent of the services to be provided Commissioner Grey pointed out that it regional headquarters in Brisbane had saying: “The current uncertainty benefits should be noted that the 1983 plan for been occupied since late 1986. nobody”, and that the AFP counter- a purpose-built facility had not yet been terrorist capability, “remained at a bare approved and a number of AFP national Progress was made in planning for minimum with little capacity to respond units were still housed in temporary, improved AFP accommodation in Sydney to a sudden increase in the level of threat and Brisbane airports, but Commissioner sub-standard accommodation within still holds true.” Grey maintained that accommodation Canberra. continued to be sub-standard in those This was Commissioner Grey’s At the same time moves were taking areas, but noted that the standard final annual report. He indicated to place to find better accommodation for was “excellent” at Hobart, Perth and Government that he did not wish to the AFP’s state offices. Melbourne airports. renew his contract and the search

23 24 Chapter 3: The McAulay Years 1988–94 YEAR IN REVIEW

1987–88

Ronald (Peter) McAulay was sworn in Resources Branches were reformed into as AFP Commissioner on 16 February the Human Resources and Financial 1988, having gained his early policing Resources Branches with the Accounts experience in the South Australia and Purchasing Sections transferred to Police and then as Commissioner of the Management Services Branch of the Management and Support Services the Northern Territory Police and also Division. serving in Cyprus with the United The Force Development and Analysis Nations with Australian Civilian Police Peter McAulay, formerly Commissioner of the Northern Territory Police and Emergency (AUSTCIVPOL) from 1968–72. Services being sworn in as Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police on 16 February Branch was replaced in August 1987 by 1988. – AFP Museum Collection the Executive Services Branch and the Peter McAulay, as he preferred to be called, Strategic Planning Branch. The Strategic was no stranger to the media spotlight, ranks and grades within rank below the team to provide him with a plan and Planning Branch was created as a long- having been the Northern Territory Police that of Deputy Commissioner into five implementation timetable which provided term planning unit. Commissioner during the investigation into ranks. Termed ‘broad banding’, this the best use of resources, command The Telecommunications Interception the Azaria Chamberlain disappearance at recommendation reflected a trend structure and response capability for the Division was established in July 1987 Uluru (Ayers Rock) on 17 August 1980. through many private and government ACT. as a result of amendments to the At the time he came to the AFP, the organisations at the time aimed at Commissioner McAulay praised his Telecommunications (Interception) Act organisation’s media profile was invigorating middle management and predecessor for completing a formal 1979. The diplomatic and consular unexceptional, but within 12 months the simplifying the lines of communication and industrial democracy agreement between guarding functions formerly performed within ACT Command were transferred AFP would be the focus of world-wide authorisation. the AFP, the Australian Federal Police to the Australian Protective Service (APS) media interest following the murder of Association (AFPA) and each of the six With the implementation of broad in April 1988, releasing about 40 police Assistant Commissioner Colin Winchester unions covering those employed under banding, inspector and personnel for other duties. Similar guarding in January of 1989. agreements other than the AFP Act. On 17 ranks disappeared. Officers who held that functions undertaken in the Regions were May 1988 he presided over the inaugural However, in early 1988 when rank were automatically advanced to the transferred to the APS on 1 July 1988. Commissioner McAulay arrived, the superintendent pay level. National Consultative Council meeting. AFP had just completed the Career Organisation Structure Review (CSR) and it would Perhaps because his immediate past was be left to him to implement the review in community policing, Commissioner During 1987–88 a major reorganisation recommendations. The thrust of the McAulay embarked on a review of ACT of the Resources Division was carried CSR was the recommendation of Policing. The project team had a wide out. The original structure of the Human the consolidation of the 11 existing brief, but Commissioner McAulay required Resources, Establishments and Financial

26 YEAR IN REVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW 1988–89 YEAR

By 1 January 1989, the AFP’s rank terms and conditions for all employees; restructure was completed with five including disciplinary arrangements; rank levels remaining: constable, the provision of compensation for loss sergeant, superintendent, commander of tenure (after a qualifying period); and and assistant commissioner. the empowering of the Commissioner to determine terms and conditions of all This flattening of the structure employees subject to guidelines issued by combined with the introduction of the the Minister. Office Structures Review for Public Service Act staff enabled operational and Naturally, there would be provision of administrative authorities to be extensively transitional arrangements for 12 months delegated and accountability for decisions from the date of commencement of the to be clearly identified. 13 January 1989: More than 2000 family members, friends and colleagues attended the funeral of Assistant Commissioner Colin Winchester held at Saint Christopher’s Cathedral at new employment provisions and existing To implement the objectives of the Manuka. On 10 January 1989 Assistant Commissioner Winchester was killed by two .22 staff employed under the Public Service Act CSR and to enable the organisation to calibre bullets as he pulled up in his car in the driveway next to his Deakin home. retained the right to continue to apply for effectively address the objectives of the – Canberra Times Photo advertised positions in the Australian Public Corporate Plan, a revised organisational Service. structure also came into being on 1 January 1989. Superintendent and Sergeant Ranks where officers-in-charge were accountable of integrity. In December 1988, the details The implementation of the CSR required a Activities during 1988–89 also saw for the provision of the full range of police of these proposals were circulated to all rationalisation of the superintendent and the completion of a review of the police services to a defined community group. AFP members and staff and the relevant services provided in the ACT. The review sergeant ranks. As a consequence, 47 Future Development staff associations. As a consequence of which was the first comprehensive study the feedback received, Commissioner positions at these ranks were abolished and of ACT Policing undertaken since the The Corporate Plan also foreshadowed the McAulay sought and obtained Government other ranks (particularly at the constable creation of the AFP enabled the AFP to need for significant changes to be made endorsement, in June 1989, to his level) were created. introduce the concept of community- to the human resources and employment restructuring proposals for the AFP. based policing and take the provision of policies designed to attract and retain Job redesign also occurred within the Public police services closer to the community capable employees, recognise and reward Key elements of his proposal included the Service Act positions in the AFP and as a it served. The principle result was that high levels of performance, provide a introduction of non-appealable, fixed-term result of the Office Structures Review there the AFP’s ACT Region was organised goal-oriented organisation and to ensure contract employment for all employees, the was a rationalisation of administrative, into three geographic district commands the maintenance of the highest standards creation of a unified workforce with similar clerical and keyboard positions.

27 The ongoing police investigation ran YEAR IN REVIEW for more than five years and eventually YEAR IN REVIEW led to Eastman being charged with murder. Eastman’s trial began in the ACT 1989–90 Supreme Court on 2 May 1995 and he YEAR was found guilty of murdering Assistant Commissioner Colin Winchester on 3 November 1995. Justice Carruthers sentenced Eastman to life imprisonment saying a life sentence might be “more The 12 months of 1989–90 brought merciful” than a long fixed term. the introduction of fundamental Structure reforms to the AFP’s employment conditions and a number of During 1989–90, the organisation’s outstanding international and national structure was reviewed in the light of operational achievements. the directions and objectives outlined in the Corporate Plan, the implemented The proclamation of the Australian February 1990: Cocaine weighing 28kg was found in the base of a wooden crate outcomes of the CSR, and the changes Federal Police (Legislative Amendment) containing car parts imported from Panama. – AFP Museum Collection necessary to achieve the desired changes Act No 2 1989 on 1 January 1990 in the AFP. introduced major reforms in employment ACT Self-Government Colin Winchester, shot twice in the head at Australian Protective Service arrangements. Implementation was point blank range as he was stepping from With the first sitting of the ACT delayed for Public Service Act staff due his car outside his Deakin home in the ACT The Australian Protective Service, with Legislative Assembly on 11 May 1989, to continued resistance to reforms by at about 9.15pm on 10 January 1989. Cabinet approval, progressively assumed the public sector unions. Negotiations arrangements had to be made between responsibility for the counter-terrorist continued with hearings before the full the Commonwealth Minister for Justice The exhaustive investigation, code- first response function at all designated bench of the Australian Industrial Relations and Consumer Affairs and the ACT named Operation Peat , quickly identified security airports except Canberra. The Commission. Attorney-General to establish an agreement Canberra-based public servant David transfer commenced in January 1990 and between the Australian and ACT Eastman as a person of interest. concluded on 20 June 1990. As a result of Commissioner McAulay was certain the governments for the provision of police In the 1989–90 annual report the transfer, 200 redundancies took place. reforms, once implemented, would provide services to the ACT community. for a unified flexible workforce engaged Commissioner McAulay told Michael Tate, Unification of the AFP the Minister for Justice and Consumer on a fixed-term appointment basis more The agreement allowed the ACT Affairs, that the AFP would provide Legislative amendments came into effect able to respond to the ever changing crime Government to have a substantial input every support to the inquest at which a from 1 January 1990, removing the environment. on behalf of its community to the goals and objectives of ACT policing, the wide range possible scenarios leading AFP’s ability to employ staff under the Operationally, the reorganisation enabled appointment of the Chief Police Officer to Winchester’s death were canvassed Public Service Act. From then, all unsworn the strengthening of major national and the determination, through the budget by ACT Chief Magistrate Ron Cahill. The personnel would be employed under criminal investigations handling and the process, of the level of services provided. inquest did not begin until 21 August the AFP Act. Employees engaged under national criminal intelligence targeting 1989 and sat for 125 days running the previous arrangements had until the The Winchester Murder of subjects, while allowing Regional well into the following financial year. The end of 1990 to change their status. The Commands to concentrate on regional A defining stage in the AFP’s history was inquest concluded on 8 November 1991 authorised strength of the AFP set for priorities and tasks. the murder of Assistant Commissioner with the coroner returning an open finding. 1989–90 was 3255.

28 YEAR IN REVIEW

1990–91

In the 1990–91 annual report to significant, but admitted: “Clearly the Senator Michael Tate, Commissioner magnitude of the changes introduced McAulay emphasised the progress of within the AFP caused concern to AFP the industrial reforms that had been personnel and some diversion of effort underway in the AFP and forecast from the tasks confronting the AFP. implementation and consolidation of These concerns dissipated considerably further major reforms. once the reform program was October 1991: Operation Bud began to investigate the theft of from remote sites in implemented, and the envisaged While the appointment of all police South Australia and Western Australia. The operation ended in April 1997 when three men productivity increases were now members under the new employment were found guilty of charges connected to the illegal export of fossils. – AFP Museum Collection occurring. regime started on 2 July 1990, appointment of the former Public Service The AFP 1989–91 Corporate Plan Act staff as AFP staff members did not objectives and strategies provided the basis for the financial year’s reporting occur until the following November, with and at the Commissioner’s Executive the delay caused by the need to finalise Conference in April 1991 it was decided hearings before the Industrial Relations that the Plan needed to be extended Commission. until 30 June 1992. This would bring it The hearings concerned matters in line with the financial year reporting surrounding the agreement between the structure and enable it to be reviewed AFP and the AFPA about unified terms and against revised Ministerial directions. The conditions of union and staff association Report of the Australian National Audit coverage. The Industrial Relations Office (ANAO) on Fraud Investigation Commission subsequently ratified the recommended that the 1985 Ministerial Agreement and approved single union Directive on Objectives and Priorities coverage within the AFP. This enabled the be revised and included in the AFP’s appointment of staff members from 22 Corporate Plan. November 1990. The 1985 Directive, issued by the Commissioner McAulay believed the Special Minister of State, needed to be operational impact of the organisational December 1990: A 27-year-old Canberra man was charged with cultivating cannabis and updated to reflect the Government’s restructuring and the unified workforce opium, following the seizure of 85 cannabis plants and 133 opium plants. Police had not contemporary perceptions of the AFP’s reforms introduced during 1990 was previously encountered opium being grown in the ACT. – AFP Museum Collection activities. This recommendation was

29 YEAR IN REVIEW

1990–91

adopted and on 30 June 1991 a review Australian law enforcement. The placement It was also recommended that the personnel who accepted appointment of the Ministerial Directive began. of police training advisers to assist the extended authority be accompanied by were appointed under section 26B of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands Police clear and unequivocal policy guidelines the AFP Act 1979 for fixed terms up to The ANAO recommendations were Forces and the provision of assistance to and reporting arrangements allowing a maximum of 10 years. All but 12 of supported by the AFP and it was believed the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary the Commissioner to maintain overall the 600 Public Service Act personnel that their implementation would improve were important initiatives in pursuing a responsibility for the performance, accepted appointment. The 12 who did the effectiveness and efficiency of fraud South Pacific assistance strategy. operations and administration of the AFP. not accept appointment were redeployed investigations at the Commonwealth level. (permanently or temporarily) to other Social Justice The recommendations were endorsed by Policing the ACT Public Service Act positions outside the the Commissioner’s Executive Conference The ability to communicate effectively with AFP. On 25 July 1990, the Minister for in April 1991 for implementation during members of Australia’s many different Justice and Consumer Affairs and the 1991–92. In ratifying the AFP–AFPA Agreement on cultures had now become a national issue, ACT Attorney-General entered into Common Terms and Conditions of Service especially within the law enforcement Staffing an Arrangement for the provision of in November 1990, the Industrial Relations sector. In its 1990–91 annual report the police services to the ACT. This enabled In June, Commissioner McAulay Commission endorsed the introduction of AFP declared that it promoted a corporate the AFP to continue to provide police received notice from the two deputy a common classification structure based culture which respected the rights of the services in the ACT in accordance with, commissioners, John Johnson and Roy on that adopted for police members during individual and personal integrity. Part of and responsive to, the requirements Farmer, of their intention to retire from the the 1989–90 Career Structure Review. It that commitment included following an of that community as well as the ACT AFP in early July 1991. John Johnson applied four work levels below the Senior achievable Access and Equity Plan and Government. took up appointment as Commissioner of Executive Service and two levels within it. increasing awareness of all personnel of the Force and Roy Farmer A similar arrangement for the provision Access and Equity principles. retired from the workforce. These senior of police services to the government and Continuing Regionalisation officers were involved in the creation of the community of was nearing AFP in 1978–79 and had been significant completion with the plan to introduce it During 1990–91 a review was conducted influences in its development. during the 1991–92 financial year. into the effectiveness of the regionalised structuring of the AFP and, in particular, All personnel of the AFP were now International Policing the role of Regional officers-in-charge. This employed under the provisions of the AFP Building on the continued success of review recommended further devolution Act 1979. Until 22 November 1990, the AFP’s overseas liaison posts, the AFP of authority from headquarters functional non-Senior Executive Service public moved to strengthen relations with its units to enable Regional Officers-in-Charge service support staff were employed South Pacific neighbours in recognition to deploy resources to priority demands under the Public Service Act 1922. of the region’s growing significance to and thus enhance their accountability, On that date those Public Service Act

30 YEAR IN REVIEW

1991–92

In his 1991–92 annual report, its focus within Australia including Commissioner McAulay took stock of investigations of large-scale corporate fraud the challenges ahead, and told Minster arising from Government recognition of Tate: “As the world moves closer to the corporate fraud spurred by Government recognition of the growth in such next century, it is facing a number of crime and the need to meet continued dramatic challenges and problems.” community expectation under self- government in the ACT. These included the radically and rapidly 18 May 1992: A contingent of 10 AFP officers arrived in Cambodia as part of the changing geopolitical fortunes following 3600-strong United National Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC), established to At the same time, some events which the the collapse of the former Eastern bloc, supervise the country’s first democratic elections. While in Cambodia AFP contingents one and two facilitated the distribution of educational materials sent by Australian charity AFP was required to deal with included dwindling global resources and markets organisations. – AFP Museum Collection controlling protestors at the Australian along with pockets of sporadic civil unrest, International Defence Equipment occurring in minority groups within executives, the AFP was now optimally by seizures such as 4.2 tonnes of high Exhibition (AIDEX) demonstrations in dominant cultures throughout the world. placed to implement the new Corporate quality cannabis resin and 21.5kg of Asian November 1991 and protests at the Plan which was based on the new heroin. Iranian Embassy in March 1992. Commissioner McAulay said: “The Ministerial Directive. The new plan was ramifications of these global shifts are As the end of the financial year due to take effect at the beginning of the A new United Nations mission was approached, the Minister for Justice, now being felt politically, socially and 1992–93 financial year. undertaken with the deployment of 10 economically, and as part of the global police officers to Cambodia as part of Michael Tate, announced on 22 May community. Australia cannot expect to Consistent with Prime Minister Keating’s the UN civilian police force to assist the 1992 that Commissioner McAulay remain immune.” vision for a broadened role for Australia Cambodian people to take control of their had accepted re-appointment as within the Pacific, during the year the AFP own affairs and return to peaceful and Commissioner for a further two years from On 4 September 1991, Brian Bates strengthened its proactive international productive lives. 30 November 1992. was sworn in as Deputy Commissioner and national intelligence and investigative (Operations) with Adrien Whiddett acting strategies to combat the effect of Police training advisers were deployed to as Deputy Commissioner (Administration). internationally and nationally-sourced Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to assist their Governments With the appointment of a new Deputy criminal attacks on Australia. diminish the potential for growth of Commissioner, coupled with the creation In conjunction with Customs, the fight criminal activity within the region. of a Board of Management comprising against drug trafficking within Australia both headquarters and regional senior continued, the persistence was highlighted The AFP’s restructure caused it to reassess

31 YEAR IN REVIEW

1992–93

and deliver: inquiry into the efficiency In the annual report for 1992–93 dividend arrangements, tabled in Parliament Commissioner McAulay took the on 24 March 1994, offered some unusual approach of highlighting sympathy to small agencies, but in his concerns he had on how Government concluding remarks to Parliament, Liberal financial policy was impacting on the Party frontbencher Peter Reith said: “The AFP’s ability to do its work. examination of the efficiency dividends conducted by the committee concluded Although Commissioner McAulay believed that it is a pretty rough system, but one the AFP had performed creditably during the 15 March 1992: Operation Flute began when the AFP received information which worth keeping and fixing, amending and year, he felt the organisation was now facing eventually uncovered a scheme to import into Australia 4 tonnes of hashish concealed in changing. I hope that our report will be a giant turf roller. The roller was seized in Sydney when it arrived from Tonga on 20 March difficulties which would inevitably lead to 1992. – AFP Museum Collection a spur to further reforms that are already a reduction in efficiency and productivity, underway. Further reforms could be saying: “In that much of our activity involves undertaken which would provide a real extension of the ‘user pays’ philosophy and efficiency dividend did in fact result in the protection of the nation’s revenue and dividend eventually to taxpayers, either expenditure, a downturn in our productivity an impact of additional taxes such as the efficiency gains. During that early period through their having to pay less taxes will have adverse implications for that Fringe Benefit Tax, with the uncertainty of the AFP was at the forefront of structural and still receiving the same goods or, revenue and expenditure.” supplementation.” and industrial reforms and the efficiency alternatively, by their continuing to pay the dividend to our other areas of expenditure, The Australian Government had introduced same level of taxes but obtaining a better “Due to a combination of circumstances, in an organisation in which about three- the efficiency dividend as an annual result from the Government.” my administration is now beginning to quarters of the costs are salary related, deduction of a percentage of running adopt a policy of downsizing to meet the is now clearly counter-productive to Regardless of the budgetary concerns, the costs from each Government agency’s availability of funds. Of course much of this efficiency.“ AFP needed to get on with its business. problem can be properly attributed to the budget. The theory being that this On 3 August 1992, the position of downturn in the economy (nationally and reduction would act both as an incentive Commissioner McAulay was one of Deputy Commissioner (Administration) internationally). to find more efficient practices and enable a growing number of agency heads was permanently filled by Adrien quantification of some of the efficiency questioning the viability of the efficiency Whiddett who had been acting in the “However, the imposition of the so-called gains made by an agency in the previous dividend, particularly when applied to position since July 1991. efficiency dividend (now applying to year. In plain terms it was the application of small agencies. At the time the efficiency our operations as opposed to only our Following the retirement of Assistant the philosophy of doing more with less. dividend was a 1.25 per cent annual cut in administrative expenses as was formally Commissioner Ian Broomby in January the running cost appropriations of budget the case) can only be met by curtailing Commissioner McAulay’s point of view 1993, John Valentin was promoted on funded departments and agencies. operations and reducing staff. This difficulty was expressed clearly in his Letter of 19 April 1993 to the position of Assistant will be exacerbated by the progressive Transmittal: “When initially imposed, the The report of the committee entitledStand Commissioner (Investigations).

32 YEAR IN REVIEW

1992–93

Resources Review Finally, while it identified that the AFP was designed specifically to comply to produce national strategic criminal could use the Proceeds of Crime Act more with the recommendations of the royal intelligence assessments. The 1992 Resources Review was effectively, the RRT also supported the commission. established to examine and report on Consistent with the 1991 Ministerial comments of previous commissioners whether existing resources were equitably Criminal use of Technology Direction, the AFP recognised that with its in that any additional responsibilities spread throughout the AFP. The Resources unique transjurisdictional law enforcement imposed by Government would require a Understanding that criminals were quickly Review Team (RRT) finalised its report responsibilities, it was the agency best commensurate increase in AFP resources. embracing technology as a tool in their in October 1992. The RRT had found placed to act as the conduit for drawing enterprises Commissioner McAulay said: that approximately 73 per cent of AFP In total, the RRT presented 82 together the national law enforcement “The financial gains from major crime are staff were mainly engaged in operations recommendations for consideration by effort, thereby maximising scarce skills and enormous and it is clearly evident that and operational support work, with AFP management, of which 78 were finite resources. those involved use the latest and best the remaining 27 per cent engaged in accepted for implementation. Work on technology to protect their interests. Underpinning this role, the AFP continued corporate support work. The RRT also the implementation of the approved to provide AFP officers to other agencies found that resources were spread on a fair recommendations began early in 1993. “The AFP must be able to match and to assist with the national law enforcement and reasonable basis to accommodate to counter the criminal use of such Until this time the AFP was one of the few effort. The AFP also assisted client current workload demands. technology. Only with equivalent Commonwealth public sector organisations agencies by conducting an extensive technologies can the AFP combat The review also found that the AFP’s expanding its workforce when most were training program for their employees on burgeoning major criminal activity and so performance was generally satisfactory; contracting out. With the extension of the the management of serious crime and provide the Australian community and the however, there was a need for a application of the 1.25 per cent efficiency investigative techniques. Government with the level and quality of reassessment of priorities and work dividend to operational salaries the AFP law enforcement required of it.“ Prime among the AFP’s human resources practices to yield additional efficiencies. had to curtail recruiting. achievements for the year was the There was also a need to continue to Operational Successes With low staff attrition rates and a conclusion of negotiations for the improve liaison arrangements with downturn in recruitment, in May 1993, the Critical to the AFP’s operational success Enterprise Bargaining Agreement between Commonwealth departments and AFP offered 51 redundancies to all staff of during the year was the continued the AFP and AFPA. agencies in order to enhance the nature which 48 were accepted. development of its criminal intelligence and value of referrals to the AFP and Commissioner McAulay completed capability through its established overseas strengthen its leadership role. Social Justice the extension to his term as AFP liaison network. The value of such Commissioner and retired on 5 May The growth in international air traffic and Implementation of the recommendations liaison was highlighted, following three 1994. He died from a respiratory illness on the changes in air traffic movements were of the report of the Royal Commission into separate investigations, by the seizure 14 November 1995. beginning to have a significant effect on Aboriginal Deaths in Custody continued of approximately 272kg of cocaine and the staff required by the AFP to satisfy its with the new police station at Jervis $165,000 cash in Sydney. The AFP airport function. Bay opened in June 1993. The station also continued to enhance its ability

33 34 Chapter 4: The Palmer Years 1994–2001 YEAR IN REVIEW

1993–94YEAR

Mick Palmer, previously the The Report of the Commonwealth Law Commissioner of the Northern Enforcement Arrangements (CLER) was Territory Police and Emergency finalised in February 1994. The CLER Services, was sworn in as AFP recommended redefined priorities and Commissioner on 14 June 1994, values for the AFP to ensure it continued to meaning his first AFP annual report meet emerging national law enforcement was of a financial year in which he challenges as Australia moved into the had served only the final two weeks. 21st century. This new focus included serious fraud, fraud liaison, and new forms However, in the few months leading to the of international and organised crime in October tabling of the report, he clearly addition to existing areas of investigation. took the opportunity to set the scene for The review emphasised the need for the the reforms he was about to introduce. 29 November 1993: A man deliberately drove his ute into in downtown AFP to foster strategic alliances with Canberra and deliberately set fire to it while he roamed the building looking for his estranged specialist agencies. Commissioner Palmer had come to wife. Northbourne Avenue came to a standstill for the morning as fire spread through the the AFP with an understanding of the building and ACT Policing dealt with a potential hostage situation. – AFP Museum Collection As the review progressed, significant processes put in train by his predecessor, legislative changes and developments Commissioner Palmer’s arrival was in approach from the AFP in its task.” Peter McAulay, and had a grasp on how the wake of a busy year of Parliamentary were also underway. The ability of the the AFP would need to adapt to cope with Changes in the criminal environment review that would inevitably impact on AFP to obtain evidence under search law enforcement into the future. had placed a greater emphasis on the AFP. In November 1993, the House warrants had been curtailed following a It was clear to him that the organisation of Representatives Standing Committee Commonwealth law enforcement decision by the full bench of the Federal had to meet the increasing globalisation on Banking, Finance and Public arrangements as well. In August 1993, Court. This followed an investigation and sophistication of criminal activity. To Administration finalised its report on the Cabinet agreed that a review of these where the AFP sought and attempted to execute a search warrant on a state do this the AFP would need to develop inquiry into fraud on the Commonwealth arrangements was required to ensure that government department. A legal challenge a responsiveness to rapidly changing titled Focusing on Fraud (the Elliot needs were being met and resources were was mounted by the state regarding the law-enforcement environments, be able Report). The report noted that while being used effectively. The review analysed warrant’s legality. to identify emerging trends, develop “the AFP improved its handling of fraud the roles of the various Commonwealth law sophisticated intelligence systems, and cases, including thorough refinement enforcement agencies to ensure there was The Federal Court indicated that a warrant factor state-of-the-art technology into the of its National Priority System, agencies no unnecessary duplication and that the issued under section 10 of the Crimes Act AFP’s law enforcement strategy. were seeking a more service-oriented role of each agency was clearly defined. did not display any intention on the part of

36 YEAR IN REVIEW

1993–94

the Australian Parliament to create a power development of high quality intelligence Efficiency Dividend Keeps Hurting from 1.25 per cent of running costs to 1 to authorise entry upon premises in which and cooperation with Customs in the per cent of running costs plus property The budget restrictions forced on the the affairs of Executive Government are detection and investigation of drug operating expenses. AFP by the continuing application of the conducted, either Commonwealth or state. offences. efficiency dividend remained as much Commissioner Palmer asserted that this This decision had implications elsewhere. Another significant development was a problem for Commissioner Palmer as change would have a near negligible Members of the AFP’s Southern Region the AFP’s enhanced ability to attack it had been for Commissioner McAulay. impact on the $1.7 million reduction that had relied on the provisions of the Crimes the financial base of criminal networks. Commissioner Palmer made a submission the efficiency dividend was making to AFP (Fingerprinting) Act 1988 and the Crimes Significant assets resulting from criminal to the House of Representatives Standing funds each year. Act 1958, both Victorian Acts, to obtain activity were seized during the year Committee on Banking, Finance and fingerprints from suspects and offenders. substantially threatening the power base Public Administration stressing that, while the AFP supported the need for On 5 May 1994, Judge Kelly, in the from which criminals operate. Commonwealth agencies to operate Victorian County Court, ruled that a In the ACT, closer working links with the efficiently, the application of an across magistrates’ court did not have the community were established resulting in the-board cut like the efficiency dividend power to make an order for the taking of positive feedback being received from a should not be applied to the AFP. It was fingerprints in relation to Commonwealth community opinion survey. This positive argued that it was not reasonable to apply offences. The decision could not only attitude reflected the success of efforts the penalty to the point where an agency’s adversely affect future investigations, but over several years to address earlier capacity to achieve its strategic objectives, also a number of matters pending before declines in trends in public perceptions and in the AFP’s case, to comply with the courts where fingerprint evidence had of police effectiveness in the ACT. The its legislative responsibilities to protect been presented in similar circumstances. strategies undertaken included developing the laws, revenue and property of the Drug Detections Grow and maintaining a high profile for the Commonwealth, was reduced. Safety House Scheme, the Safer Civic The trend identified in earlier years of In its response to the Committee’s Program, Operation Noah and Paradox larger quantities of illicit drugs being report, the Government accepted the and the introduction of Police Court detected at or near the point of entry recommendation that existing efficiency Diversionary Scheme aimed at reducing continued and was evidenced by several dividend arrangements continue until recidivism rate primarily for young significant seizures. These successes were agencies organised a Property Resource offenders. largely attributable to the AFP’s increasing Agreement with the Department of emphasis on international liaison enabling Finance. At that time, the dividend reduced

37 YEAR IN REVIEW

1994–95

After his first full year as AFP Commissioner Palmer also made inroads Commissioner, Mick Palmer was able on the social justice and equity front by hosting the Women, Police and to report that during those 12 months Management Conference, ordering there had been a significant change an Equity Performance and Cultural in the way the AFP went about its Assessment audit, and overseeing the business. development of an Aboriginal Recruitment and Employment Strategy. The implementation of the change process August 1994: Some of the AFP officers involved in Operation Caribou in 1994. At the in that time meant the abolition of the time it was the largest cannabis resin seizure in Australian criminal history. – AFP Museum The Change Process function-focused branch structure and its Collection Commissioner Palmer took stock of the replacement with a multi-skilled operational is a deficiency which must be corrected as n assisting the NCA in the extradition AFP’s position in the law enforcement team model which was expected to more the AFP plays a critical part in Australia’s from the USA of one of Australia’s environment and took the position that effectively empower and skill investigators law enforcement network. The role the most wanted persons. the AFP was operating in a dynamic and to deal with the range and diversity of AFP has in the protection of Australia’s n an investigation into large-scale social continually changing environment. matters within the AFP’s jurisdiction. national interests both here and overseas security fraud committed by prisoners He wrote to , the Minister for Accompanying this change came the need will become increasingly important as our Justice: “Over the past 15 years, change to transform the traditional organisational interests are subject to the growing impact n the detection of computer crime has been a constant and demanding culture to one which better developed and of the globalisation of crime. “ offences companion which, understandably, has valued its employees while refocusing and Commissioner Palmer offered a number of n outcomes of projects funded through created uncertainty. The AFP recognises redefining of the AFP’s core business. achievements as being representative of the Confiscated Assets Trust Fund that in order to meet its present and “The success of the AFP in the future the AFP’s performance during 1994–95, (CAT Fund) such as the Multinational future challenges it must become more will be enhanced by internal changes they included: Asian Organised Crime Conference adaptive and flexible. As a step towards it is implementing, but there are other achieving this, the AFP is examining how n the strengthened alliance between the n AFP people initiatives, including the challenges to be met,” Commissioner it: plans and evaluates its activities; has AFP and the NCA development of a new operational Palmer said. structured itself; can create better working n the culmination of long-term team model relationships with state and territory police “For example, I have found that few investigations including the seizure of n deployment of AFP contingents to and other key partners and clients; and in Australia properly understand and 5 tonnes of cannabis resin at Hervey Haiti, Mozambique and Somalia has identified and removed barriers that recognise the work the AFP does and the Bay (and recovery of a further 10 prevented it from operating efficiently.” contribution it makes to the national and tonnes by the French authorities) and n the creation of a specialised training international law enforcement effort. This 123 kg of heroin in Darwin. centre for investigators. Commissioner Palmer felt that with

38 YEAR IN REVIEW

1994–95

his relatively recent arrival at the AFP Legal Challenges Continue combined with the 1994 Ministerial Legal challenges on aspects of how the Direction, the CLER and the Elliott Report, AFP did business in the states continued. the opportunity had been created to For a time the High Court decision critically examine the AFP and to initiate on Ridgeway v The Queen effectively further change where necessary. prevented the AFP from undertaking “A major external driver of reform is controlled deliveries of narcotics from the speed and nature of change in the March 1994: AFP members arrived in Mozambique with several sets of playground overseas into Australia. criminal environment. As the CLER pointed equipment donated by an Australian manufacturer and assorted clothing that had been On the other hand, the state challenge to out, crime is now more flexible, mobile, seized in Australia in violation of the Copyright Act and approved for distribution to the needy in Mozambique. – AFP Museum Collection the AFP executing search warrants under pervasive, coordinated and powerful than section 10 of the Crimes Act 1914 on ever before, and law enforcement must change process with the mission of rapidly approach, requiring job flexibility, multi- government departments was rejected. The move with these changes,” he said. bringing about the changes that would skilling and a team-based structure. High Court held that it was a valid exercise enable the AFP to react to emerging needs of power for the AFP to execute section 10 In September 1994, an executive Operational Teams conference was held to consider how to and operational pressures. search warrants on another government department. refocus the AFP to meet the challenges The AFP’s new approach to human resource Except where the functions dictated a identified by the CLER. A particular focus management was to emphasise a flexible, need for continuity and stability of staffing, At the time of the Ridgeway decision, the of the conference was how best to form a multi-skilled, improved team approach that operational elements were arranged Minister announced the Government’s strategic alliance with the NCA and to foster focused on its core business of serving the into flexible, empowered teams. Team intention to legislate to legalise the cooperative arrangements with specialist Commonwealth’s law enforcement interests composition depended on the nature, size conduct of future controlled deliveries. agencies that administer particular laws. and scope of each operation, assisted as and delivering policing services to the required by support elements (for example, Commissioner Palmer examined issues Government and people of the ACT. surveillance, Police Technical Unit) either and strategies that were needed to “Coping with change is not easy, but it is place the AFP in the best position to crucial if the AFP is to remain an effective integrated into, or assigned to, each team. meet future challenges. Five major areas into the future.” By July 1995 an operational model was were scrutinised: core business, ethos, Commissioner Palmer said. implemented to ensure that the AFP’s organisation, people and key relationships. The AFP workplace had traditionally investigations were being organised A Change Management Steering featured defined jobs, a single set of and conducted by flexible, empowered Committee and a Change Implementation skills and a command structure. The operational teams, effectively coordinated Team were established to implement the new operations model featured a team at a regional and national level.

39 YEAR IN REVIEW

1995–96YEAR

1995-96@ Commissioner Palmer continued confidence in the AFP, particularly because the AFP’s restructure at some pace, the change process was now delivering a stating in the 1995–96 annual clear vision, mission and values statement report that the need for the AFP to for the AFP. become more flexible, adaptable and New Vision, Mission, Values and the robust was fundamental to meeting birth of the Federal Agent continuing and emerging national and The change process had received its initial international crime-related challenges. 1995: AFP officers rake through the discarded refuse on a WA outback property looking for impetus from an executive conference evidence of experimentation with Sarin gas. – AFP Museum Collection Now reporting to Daryl Williams, held in September 1994 which identified Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, five major areas for change; core business, one which fostered initiative, learning and Program 1 review to ensure the resources Commissioner Palmer wrote: “It is also ethos, organisation, people and key empowerment was not without cost. used by the AFP in meeting the program’s essential if the AFP is to contribute relationships. The principal outcomes were: objectives were optimally deployed effectively to protecting Australia’s Commissioner Palmer was aware that consistent with the priorities established by n a clear statement of a vision, mission reputation as a stable and safe society in many among the AFP’s personnel were Government. and values for the AFP which to conduct trade, investment and feeling the strain of this fundamental tourism activities,” he said. cultural change which he conceded Apart from close examination of itself n the commencement, on 1 July 1995, resulted in an initial drop in performance during that time, the AFP provided of a flexible, empowered, teams-based “With the emergence of international approach to AFP operations in place of information and money networks which levels. He told the Minister, “Already, considerable technical support to though, as experience in working in the investigations associated with the Royal the former division, branch and section increasingly transcend boundaries structure and escape the purview of individual new operational model environment Commission into the NSW Police Service. jurisdictions, international cooperation has improved, performance gains are There were 17 AFP officers involved in joint n the adoption, from February 1996, of and assistance between national law becoming apparent. I am confident this task forces with NSW Police; they too were a similar team-based approach in AFP enforcement agencies must become trend in both the quality and the focus of named before the commission. Headquarters AFP performance will continue.” increasingly effective and efficient. Clearly, The royal commission received close n confirmation that the AFP’s core in the law enforcement matrix of Australia, The implementation of the new operational media coverage leading several current business was to counter organised the AFP’s emerging jurisdiction must be model progressed at the same time as and former AFP officers to publicly express crime, major fraud, drug offences, seen as between Australia and the rest of a review of the activities included in concerns about the AFP’s integrity, attacks serious crimes against the the world.” the investigation of crimes against the which Commissioner Palmer recognised Commonwealth, as well as to deal The transition of the AFP from a Commonwealth, referred to as Program 1. he would have to address to minimise any with selected NCA ‘menu’ items, hierarchical rules-bound organisation to Commissioner Palmer created the adverse effect on the established public national and international matters, ACT

40 YEAR IN REVIEW

1995–96

community policing and United Nations Several sexual harassment allegations commitments in ACT Region were investigated n the alignment of support functions and a number of members had their such as intelligence, planning, technical appointments ended early pursuant to and scientific, and corporate services to section 26E of the AFP Act. At the time of enhance operational effectiveness these events, Commissioner Palmer made it clear that sexual or racial harassment n adoption of a streamlined national would not be tolerated in the AFP. management team principally 10 May 1996: Federal Agent Paul McFawn explains to Today program presenter Liz Hayes the characteristics of various weapons as part of the media coverage of the Australian Police Improved grievance handling procedures comprising the general managers of all Ministers’ Council move to undertake a national weapons buy back scheme in the wake of were put in place and a new equity and AFP business units 35 homicides at Port Arthur on 28 April 1996. – AFP Museum Collection diversity plan developed. n the abandonment of the use of former Social Justice and Equity rank titles in favour of the generic Howard Government Briefing Vision In 1995, the AFP identified the need description of federal agent for AFP With the election of the Howard Coalition To fight crime and win to value equity and diversity as inherent members, except in the ACT where Government on 2 March 1996, the qualities in the change process. Carmel conventional community policing rank Mission Attorney-General, Daryl Williams, was titles were retained. Niland and Associates were contracted to To provide dynamic and effective law briefed on the AFP’s role and functions. The Underpinning all these changes was enforcement to the people of Australia audit the 1992–95 Equal Employment brief also addressed the change process, Opportunity (EEO) program. While the a clear statement of vision, mission Values the critically important alliance with the and values for the AFP reflecting the Niland Report described the program itself NCA, the increasingly international nature direction of the change process. This Integrity as excellent, it also found that the AFP’s of crime and growing requirements statement emerged following a process of Commitment ability to meet the program objectives was for fraud investigation and for AFP widespread consultation, including with Excellence poor. involvement in special inquiries from time AFPA representatives, members and staff to time. members from a wide range of operations Accountability The Niland Report also found that the and operations support areas and the The Hanson Inquiry Fairness AFP’s legal obligation to eliminate National Management Team. workplace sexual harassment was poorly The Queensland Criminal Justice Trust The way forward would be guided by a understood and the AFP culture produced: Commission (CJC) instituted a public clear vision and mission statement that “ ... a climate conducive to sexual and inquiry (the Hanson Inquiry) into the source referenced six core values that follow. racial harassment”. of unauthorised leaks to the media of

41 YEAR IN REVIEW

1995–96

documents relating to the CJC’s Operation related to the importation, exportation or Wallah investigation. The AFP sought leave possession of narcotics carried out in the to appear at this inquiry. Commissioner course of duty pursuant to an authorised Palmer and other AFP representatives operation. The Bill sought to reverse gave sworn evidence concerning the effects of Ridgeway v The Queen Operation Gallon, the AFP’s investigation (1995) 129 ALR 41 (Ridgeway) where into allegations concerning the possible incriminating evidence was excluded commission of Commonwealth offences through application of the principle of arising from the Operation Wallah report. entrapment. Suggestions had been made and were 19 November 1996 - US President Bill Clinton and wife Hillary visited Australia. While in widely reported during the course of Canberra, President Clinton addressed both Houses of Parliament. – AFP Museum Collection the inquiry that the AFP was subject to political interference and was tardy and while serving with the task force. Of the implications for the AFP, the AFP unprofessional in its investigation of the 17 former and current members named, Amendment Bill 1996 and the Crimes Operation Wallah allegations. Hanson 10 were still serving members of the Amendment (Controlled Operations) Bill concluded in his report that there was no AFP at the time of the royal commission’s 1996, were passed by Parliament on 26 evidence of political interference in the hearings. All but three of those serving June 1996 and received Royal Assent on AFP’s investigation, nor was he persuaded members resigned. 8 July 1996. that it was characterised by tardiness or a The AFP Amendment Bill amended the lack of professionalism on the part of the Following the evidence before the royal AFP Act to give the Commissioner the AFP’s investigators. commission and further allegations made by a former member on national authority to dismiss unsuitable staff NSW Police Force Royal Commission television in March 1996, the Attorney- involved in serious misconduct and corruption. During the Royal Commission into the General announced the appointment of Ian NSW Police Service hearings into the Harrison to inquire into the allegations on TheCrimes Amendment (Controlled activities of the former Commonwealth– 5 August 1996. Operations) Bill 1996 amended the NSW joint Drug Task Force, evidence Crimes Act 1914 by exempting, subject Significant Legislation Introduced was given concerning the involvement to appropriate controls, law enforcement of AFP personnel in corrupt practices Two pieces of legislation with significant officers from criminal liability for conduct

42 YEAR IN REVIEW

1996–97

While the 1996–97 year had been The inquiry investigated 89 allegations challenging for everyone in the AFP, made against 54 serving members. Commissioner Palmer felt there were Harrison made no adverse finding in respect two aspects of AFP achievement he of 46 of those 54 officers. In each instance, wanted to bring to the attention of he found there was no reliable basis on Senator Amanda Vanstone, Minister for which to recommend that any further steps Justice. be taken in respect of these officers. 13 December 1996: As a result of Operation Molotov/Calculus that took place near the The first was the success the AFP had Tin Can Bay to the south of Fraser Island in Queensland, 8.4 tonnes of cannabis resin was A review team considered the issues dismantling or disrupting highly organised seized along with the vessel Highlander and other property, including three off-load punts. concerning the eight officers against whom criminal groups during the year citing – AFP Museum Collection allegations were made and also considered one operation involving international achievements for the Minister as: years earlier the AFP embarked on a consequential issues which emerged as cooperation that resulted in one of n the external review of key business major program of corporate reform. This part of the review process. the world’s largest narcotic trafficking represented a fundamental break with activities aimed at enhancing the Harrison recommended that an issue organisations being dismantled with the past, and has resulted in continuing effectiveness of the way the AFP relating to one officer going back some arrests in Australia, Canada and the United change to align the organisational allocated resources to tasks and 15 years, could be referred to the CDPP for States. structures and operational arrangements support of key business activities consideration as to whether any charges ”This was clearly not only a pleasing with the strategic vision.” n the new professional reporting should be laid. The CDPP concluded that outcome and directly relevant to our (whistleblower) policy Inquiry into Allegations of Corruption it was not appropriate to press criminal identified high value business, but also within the AFP charges against the officer at this time, nor a very strong demonstration of the n the illicit drug-free workforce policy would it have been appropriate to do so at positive results that can be achieved On 5 August 1996, Attorney-General Daryl n a new human resource strategy which the alleged time the incident occurred. He through national and international agency Williams announced the appointment of embraced fundamental change to further recommended that Commissioner cooperation and the proper and strategic personal reward and remuneration, Ian Harrison to inquire into allegations of management of the investigation of serious Palmer should consider whether or not he deployment, personal advancement corruption made by a former AFP member. crime,” he said. retained confidence in five of the remaining and performance assessment. Harrison submitted his report in April seven officers. Those five officers had their The second achievement concerned the Commissioner Palmer explained: “In 1997. The Attorney-General noted that no fixed-term appointments ended under the AFP’s initiatives in workplace reform. response to a wide-ranging strategic evidence of systemic corruption within the provisions of Section 26E of the AFP Act Commissioner Palmer listed these assessment of its environment, two AFP had been found. 1979.

43 YEAR IN REVIEW

1996–97

In the case of the one of the remaining two Games in Sydney and the nation-wide officers, Commissioner Palmer decided that Centenary of Federation celebrations. the incident was an insufficient basis on Social Justice and Equity which to lose confidence in the member. Under Commissioner Palmer’s influence Commissioner Palmer was determined to the AFP continued to maintain equity ensure that the AFP was, and was seen to and women’s networks in each region. be, a high-quality law enforcement agency Each year, the networks nominated a of integrity in which Australians could have 5 January 1997: in Operation Cyclops approximately 10 tonnes of cannabis resin was seized from the vessel Southern Cross north of Port Stephens. – AFP Museum Collection representative to be a direct conduit to confidence. the Commissioner. This representative Program 1 Review Factors Impinging on Performance reduced its numerical strength consistently was also made a member of the National over the previous six or seven years by Management Team. The review which started in the previous As a result of the Program 1 review, the approximately 15 per cent. Of those financial year recommended that a AFP established policy guidelines for the In July 1996, 300 participants from employees remaining, 694 were assigned targeted and integrated range of actions be national assessment and prioritisation of police services across Australia, including to ACT regional policing duties under an AFP personnel, attended the inaugural undertaken to enhance the AFP’s ability to referrals, but conceded that there would agreement between the Commonwealth Australasian Women Police Conference in discharge its responsibilities in responding always be room for improvement in its Government and the ACT Government. As Sydney. to the needs of Government and the resource allocation processes. challenges of the emerging criminal a result of the commencement in 1990 of environment. Commissioner Palmer pointed out that once fxed-term appointments of either 10 or five financial commitments such as salaries, years, two thirds of the AFP’s personnel had The most immediate concerns flowing superannuation and other running costs fixed-term appointments that were due to from the review’s recommendations had been met from an overall budget of expire in 2000. Of those 1806 personnel, related to the setting of national priorities around $258 million, the funding available 56 per cent of Senior Executive Service in the allocation of resources, redeveloping to undertake operational activity was limited officers and 43 per cent of work level 4s the AFP’s information management and to around $20 million. (sergeant or equivalent) were eligible for technological support systems, improving age retirement. effectiveness in dealing with referrals from Also impacting on performance was the agencies, achieving consistency in regional continuing drop in employee numbers, now This situation was compounded by the need and national operations, and measuring at 2667. Like most other Commonwealth for the AFP to prepare for a significant role more effectively the value of AFP work. agencies, the AFP had by necessity in the security aspects of the 2000 Olympic

44 YEAR IN REVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW 1997–98 YEAR

In his fourth year, Commissioner information economy also create Palmer was unreserved in informing opportunities for illegal activity. It is Minister Vanstone that the application clear that the security of the intellectual of ongoing efficiency dividends by property which underpins information successive governments and the lack and information services will be a of a clearly defined budget charter for cornerstone in achieving such prosperity.” the AFP had seen a serious decline in Additionally, he pointed out that new the organisation’s ability to deliver the technologies, crime opportunities and outcomes expected by the Australian trends were continually appearing Government. and the desirability for international cooperation and coordination between “At the same time, the Government’s law enforcement agencies was fast Tough on Drugs initiatives have becoming a necessity. increased the capacity of the AFP to proactively target and investigate people “In this regard, the AFP plays a and syndicates involved in the organised crucial role internationally through its importation of heroin and other illicit overseas liaison officer network and its drugs into Australia,” Commissioner involvement in Interpol,” he said. Palmer said. Commissioner Palmer felt the key to the “While the drug-related initiatives are AFP positioning itself to respond to the important, independent assessments challenges of this environment were forecast that during the next five years the skills, professional commitment and Australia’s criminal environment will be flexibility of its people, coupled with affected increasingly by globalisation of the strategic understanding and focus the world economy and the convergence of the organisation, the effectiveness of of communications and technology. its financial and organisational planning “Unfortunately, the increased economic and the adequacy of its resources. activities crucial to Australia’s future 30 July 1997: a 13 member AFP team from Canberra responded to calls for assistance Law enforcement challenges were when two ski lodges were crushed trapping 19 people in a late-night landslide at Thredbo changing dramatically and the AFP skill prosperity in terms of becoming a Alpine Village. Several members of the AFP team found themselves closely involved in the leading financial centre in Asia and rescue of the sole survivor Stuart Diver including Peter Davis seen here over the extraction and resource profile needed to adapt a strong player in the international point. – Photo by Mick Travers accordingly.

45 YEAR IN REVIEW

1997–98

Commissioner Palmer said: “Critically, the resource constraints, high attrition rates During 1997–98, however, the AFP needs to continue to attract, develop and a declining capacity to accept AFP received a number of specific- and retain high quality, relevantly skilled, referrals for investigation from other purpose allocations which, while police personnel supported by people agencies. In 1997–98, these factors greatly welcomed by the AFP, were with specialist competencies in such continued to exert pressure on the AFP not designed to address or relieve areas as forensic accounting, computer along with the continuation of savings the underlying structural budgetary crime and communications.” measures introduced in 1996–97. These problems which threaten continued measures included restricted recruitment, operational effectiveness and viability. Prime Minister Howard, in February across-the-board application of internal These allocations included $0.505 1998, announced a review to ensure budget cuts, targeted reduction of travel million to meet the AFP’s additional that the resources given to the AFP, “will expenditure, limited filling of vacant workload leading up to and during the equip it to fight the kind of crime we will positions and reduction of service levels Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic face in the next century,” and to ensure to client departments. The number of Games, $2.685 million for the 1997- “that the AFP was adequately resourced fraud investigations initiated by the AFP 98 establishment costs of mobile strike to meet the challenges of the 21st continued to decline during the year and teams under the Government’s Tough century”. the gross attrition rate for staffing levels on Drugs National Illicit Drug Strategy, and $1.2 million to assist the AFP in These statements, together with remained high at 7.41 per cent. Howard’s recognition that a “reform reprofiling its employment base through The AFP experienced a significant a small-scale, targeted early cessation process to enable the AFP to develop reduction in base funding in 1997–98 program. Total funds available to the AFP into such an agency was underway” as a result of the continued application in 1997–98 amounted to $255 million. was a positive message of support and of the efficiency dividend ($1.6 million), confidence to the people of the AFP as a 4 per cent portfolio-based cut well as a significant demonstration of the ($6.94 million) and reductions for whole- commitment of Government to the future of-government telecommunications role and viability of the AFP. savings ($173,000). The impact In the previous year’s annual report, a of reductions in base funding was number of factors were identified which exacerbated by the need to repay hindered its capacity to perform its significant forward borrowings which had core activities. These factors included accumulated over a number of years.

46 YEAR IN REVIEW

1998–99

In the 1998–99 annual report n establish an employment framework Commissioner Palmer said it had been through which more flexible and a year of increased credibility and efficient workplace arrangements recognition of the professionalism of could be negotiated with AFP the AFP, an opinion supported by the employees operational results, which included n underpin and support the record drug seizures, the arrest of establishment of empowered teams criminal entrepreneurs and high profile October 1998: Operation Linnet was a land and sea operation in the Port Macquarie on the to provide a flexible, mobile and international fugitives along with NSW coast that resulted in 390kg of heroin seized, 18 arrests and the confiscation of a 40- professional workforce to able to better successful fraud and money laundering metre freighter, the Uniana. – AFP Museum Collection support the establishment of mobile investigations. representing the standing and expertise of The gross attrition rate at 30 June 1999 strike force teams the AFP and its people. was 6.58 per cent, down from 7.41 n There had also been unprecedented establish stronger accountability per cent the previous financial year support and cooperation from overseas law TheCorporate Reform Program was well measures, including the requirement representing a loss of 173 personnel (112 enforcement agencies. New liaison posts on track with personnel numbers building for AFP employees to submit to illicit were established in Hanoi and Beijing towards the Government-agreed figure police members and 61 staff members), drug testing and financial probity and the AFP was playing an active role of 2800 by the end of July 2000. The while the reprofiling program accounted checking for the loss of a further 57 personnel (49 on behalf of the Australian Government upgrading of crucial equipment was n enhance the AFP Commissioner’s police members and eight staff members). in a number of United Nation’s missions underway and improvements were being disciplinary and dismissal powers. including those in Cyprus and East Timor. made to electronic and physical surveillance The reform program in 1998–99 resulted capabilities. However, the budget remained Other changes which impacted on the Operations during the year had also in the largest intake of recruits in more AFP’s business during the year included: involved the resolution of a number of tight and the AFP faced difficulties than a decade and Commissioner Palmer Te Law Enforcement and National serious crimes including charges laid in in competing with private and public reported that recruitment remained on n relation to the letter-bomb attacks on ATO sector agencies for those versed in new track to achieve a total workforce level of Security (Assumed Identities) Act members and the murder of a member of technology. 2800. 1998 (NSW), which allowed the AFP to acquire and use assumed identities, the Saudi Arabian diplomatic community. Retaining skilled personnel was a challenge. Major Legislative Changes and report back via the annual report. On the corporate front, discussions had In 1997–98, the AFP’s annual report started on the introduction of a new identified high attrition rates, restricted On 4 June 1999, Minister Vanstone n The Crimes Amendment (Forensic certified agreement designed to move recruitment, limited filling of vacant positions announced that Cabinet had agreed to a Procedures) Act 1998 (Cwth), which the AFP’s workforce from an outmoded, and internal budget cuts as impacting upon major revision of the Australian Federal has a significant impact on the way blue-collar environment to one better its capacity to perform core activities. Police Act 1979 in a package design to: forensic material was obtained from

47 YEAR IN REVIEW

1998–99

suspects, including fingerprints, body operational skills particularly required scrapes and blood testing, as well as during the Olympics and other special the handling and destruction of the events during 2000–01. material once it is obtained. Performance Management n Private Sector Privacy Principles, A leadership and management which is an industry code development program to enhance promulgated by the Privacy management skills at all levels began in Commissioner affecting how the AFP 7 December 1998: Operation Gentle was a joint AFP–Customs operation and took place April 1998 and a performance bonus obtained personal information from on a beach near Coffs Harbour on the northern NSW coast. The operation seized almost program began in March 1999, to the private sector. 225kg of cocaine hidden between the hull and internal moulding of the runabout carried by an 18-metre Venezuelan ketch. Four people were arrested. – AFP Museum Collection reward high performing staff. The amount People Management allocated for 1998–99 was $1,150,000, and was to be paid in two phases. Phase During the year there were significant One recipients received their bonus developments in AFP human resource in June 1999. Phase Two recipients operations, which were restructured to received their bonus following a review of facilitate the changes flowing from the performance by the AFP’s performance Ayers review and the implementation of standards group early in the financial year the Government’s National Illicit Drugs 1999–2000. Strategy. Equity and Diversity Projects implemented during the year included AFP Professional Standards During the year there was an explosion (Code of Conduct), the performance of workplace reform in a wide range of bonus, and deployment assistance peripheral issues. allowance (which facilitated the To meet the needs arising from wide deployment and retention of operational ranging recruitment, all new employees and operational support skills in areas received a range of equity and diversity where market rates were higher). sessions, including cross-cultural The AFP also implemented a major awareness, and general diversity 30 August 1999: The East Timor ballot for self determination was accompanied by intense workforce planning exercise that offered unrest, with many of the locals seeking protection in the United Nations compound. management sessions were developed. early contract renewal to members Actions taken by AFP members to protect citizens in the weeks following the ballot earned This was coupled with reconsideration occupying critical roles or holding core the contingent a Group Citation for Bravery. – AFP Museum Collection of recruitment policies and processes,

48 YEAR IN REVIEW

1998–99

particularly in relation to the recruitment n recruitment of additional staff to of people from non-English speaking maintain operational capacity — backgrounds. $9.8 million To recognise good flexible management n learning and development corporate by team leaders and managers, the overview — $4.3 million annual Commissioner’s Work–Life n upgrade of critical equipment, Awards were launched and flexible work firing range and forensic upgrade — practices were extended to pregnancy $6.7 million and post-maternity needs. May 1999: Operation Bronte was a month-long joint operation involving the AFP and n reprofiling/restructuring of the AFP’s During the year, gay and lesbian issues Customs, which culminated on the south coast of NSW when the coastal freighter, the employment base — $3.3 million were introduced into AFP training Kayuen, was boarded on 17 May at Port Kembla to reveal a cargo of 69 illegal immigrants. programs. The training content was – AFP Museum Collection n allocation of additional liquidity drawn from a Master’s thesis by funding — $3.3 million. Melbourne-based criminology student commissioned Tony Ayers to advise Following Government consideration Adrien Cherney entitled Gay and Lesbian on the long-term, strategic directions of the report, the Prime Minister and Issues in Policing: The Experiences of Gay and resource requirements of the AFP, Minister for Justice and Customs and Lesbian Personnel in the Australian in the light of the challenges facing announced in July 1998 a program of Federal Police. law enforcement now and in the 21st $115 million, partially funded by an century. The Ayers Review additional $65 million provided to the These challenges included threats from AFP over three years. The $50 million In February of 1998, at the Interpol illicit drug trafficking, organised crime, balance would be met by the AFP Asian Regional Conference, Prime money laundering and serious fraud. through a range of cost reduction, Minister Howard committed the Emerging criminal threats included the business reprioritisation and market Australian Government to ensuring that unauthorised access to, or sabotage of the AFP became a law enforcement testing activities. government, financial and corporate agency that was second to none and that databases, new forms of tax evasion and In October 1998, the Government the Commonwealth’s law enforcement fraud involving electronic commerce, considered the various AFP reform capability would continue to be able to intellectual property offences and proposals and subsequently tackle the existing and emerging crimes potential criminality associated with recommended the release of funding to of the next century. the environment and providing security the AFP. As a result, $27.4 million was Shortly after, the Government support for the 2000 Olympics. released for the following purposes:

49 YEAR IN REVIEW

1999–2000

Commissioner Palmer’s comments of international criminal syndicates and in his Letter of Transmittal to Minister seized record amounts of heroin, cocaine Vanstone in the 1999–2000 annual and amphetamines. He also acknowledged that in many cases the seizures had been report were those of a man who was assisted by intelligence received from confident he had achieved what he overseas law enforcement agencies with had set out to do. which the AFP had ongoing and, or, newly forged links and partnerships. “The AFP is in a sound corporate and operational position and continues to meet November 1999: At the time, Operation Figbird was Australia’s second largest heroin Drug Importation seizure of 219kg was made by the Joint Asian Crime group, AFP and Customs on the challenges arising from the increasingly 7 November 1999. A shipping container abandoned in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville There had been a dramatic increase in the transnational nature of crime, the trend to was found to have a false bottom which housed the drugs. – AFP Museum Collection level of seizures of illicit drugs by Australian globalisation, innovations in commerce internationally face a future environment of responsibility may change, government law enforcement agencies during the and trade facilitated by the Internet and the constant change and challenge. and society in general cannot afford for previous two years. Heroin production growing irrelevance of borders between us to fail. We in the AFP are committed to reports from overseas agencies indicated states and countries to criminal enterprises. “Challenges arise from the increasing world production was around 570 tonnes transnational character of crime, the trend doing everything possible to ensure we do “There is little doubt in my mind that this during 1999. to globalisation innovations in commerce not.” position is largely due to the Government’s and trade facilitated by the Internet, The AFP also recorded its largest seizures investment in the AFP together with the Operational Successes and the growing irrelevance of borders to this time of cocaine and amphetamines. reform process, and our own commitment between states and countries to criminal The introduction of mobile strike teams Intelligence activities confirmed that to the findings of a number of external enterprises. provided the AFP with a mobile, proactive, the production and trafficking of reviews. investigative capacity, and the overall amphetamines continued to increase “There are those who believe policing “I believe the performance of the AFP move to intelligence-driven investigations, accompanied by enormous production cannot be effective in the new millennium. through the values and commitment of the AFP’s successes in disrupting major rates on Australia’s doorstep. Despite this, They argue that the emerging environment its people and the support it has received criminal enterprises and in drugs seized most of the amphetamines imported into will be so complex, dynamic and from its key stakeholders has demonstrated had reached an all-time high. Australia at the time were manufactured in unpredictable that attempts to merely that the investment and confidence of the Europe. enforce the law, let alone deal with Without suggesting that the war on drugs Government is well founded. criminality pro-actively, are doomed to was being won, Commissioner Palmer People Smuggling In the body of the report Commissioner failure. While the future environment offered that during the previous year the The crime of people smuggling rose in Palmer went on to say: “The AFP and law will be difficult. I do not accept this view. AFP and partner agencies had disrupted prominence during the year drawing enforcement agencies nationally and Indeed, while some of the boundaries of and dismantled a significant number increasingly on the AFP’s investigative

50 YEAR IN REVIEW

1999–2000

resources. Some drug smuggling citing a small but significant example syndicates had incorporated people of this expertise: during the year AFP smuggling into their illegal activities using scientists had developed a technique to similar infrastructures and equipment for detect finger prints on difficult surfaces both purposes. such polymer bank notes by the use of vacuum metal deposition technology. Commissioner Palmer reported to Minister Vanstone that in addition to the ACT Community Policing real financial burden on communities 1 February 2000: During Operation Shard, AFP and Customs officers intercepted 500kg of On 15 March 2000 Senator Amanda targeted by people smugglers, there cocaine in a raid on a yacht, Ngaire Wha, at Patonga Beach. Seven people were arrested and two yachts seized. Two of the principals received life sentences. – AFP Museum Collection Vanstone, Minister for Justice and were significant threats to the individual Customs, and Gary Humphries, ACT immigrant. Minister for Justice and Community Safety, signed a new policing arrangement for the “In order to pay organisers, many illegal pursue the Law Enforcement Cooperation members served with UNAMET, InterFET provision of community policing services immigrants are coerced into criminal Program (LECP) which enabled the AFP and UNTAET, often in conditions of danger, to the ACT by the AFP. enterprises such as prostitution, drug to enhance its overseas capabilities and hardship and privation. couriering and low level drug dealing. develop a more effective and broader The new agreement supported a range of From February 2000, approximately 30 Illegal immigrants also provided significant new accountability measures and enabled criminal intelligence capacity. state police officers from all over Australia labour for sweat shops which had a real the development of an annual purchase The LECP continued to forge strong were sworn with the appropriate powers as potential to threaten legitimate industry. On agreement with the ACT Government AFP special members in order to join the occasions, people will be smuggled while links to other law enforcement agencies specifying levels of service to be provided AFP’s contingents to East Timor. family members are held hostage until throughout the world, but in particular to the community. money for the transporting has been paid,” throughout the Asia-Pacific region, Forensic Services he said. improving the levels of cooperation which Finance and People Management The forensic laboratory at the AFP’s Weston led to the greater interdiction of drugs and The AFP adopted a new certified National Illicit Drug Strategy Complex in the ACT was completed during illegal immigrants before they arrived in agreement in November 1999. The the year. This state-of-the-art laboratory was One of the key Government initiatives Australia. agreement improved remuneration, a tangible demonstration of the increasing pursued by the AFP during the year was equity and certainty while increasing the International Peacekeeping capability and sophistication of the AFP’s the National Illicit Drug Strategy. The AFP’s capacity and productivity to deal forensic services. additional funding provided in the 1999– In June 1999, the AFP sent a contingent with an unpredictable work environment. 2000 budget allowed an expansion of of 22 officers to East Timor to assist Commissioner Palmer told Minister The ability of AFP personnel practices to the AFP’s overseas liaison capabilities with the ballot for self determination due Vanstone that AFP forensic resources were respond more effectively and quickly to the and provided an additional capacity to to take place in August 1999. The AFP now world class, as were its scientists needs of Government and the community

51 YEAR IN REVIEW

1999–2000

also underpinned the changes to the alliance and, at times, in partnership with AFP legislation which was passed by the other law enforcement agencies and Parliament in February 2000. indeed the business community. The AFP must ensure, in developing its capability While implementing its own reforms, to protect Commonwealth interests in the AFP had to implement Government this area that it has the respect and reforms as well. Like all Commonwealth cooperation of all stakeholders and is able agencies, the AFP moved to accrual to work with business to ensure that the budgeting. This budgeting model records exploitation of the environment benefits revenues and expenses when goods or all sectors of the community. services are provided or consumed, rather 1 February 2000: AFP and Customs officers intercepted an estimated 500kg of cocaine in than when cash is received or paid. a raid on a yacht in the early hours of 1 February 2000, at Patonga Beach, NSW as part of “Despite this environment of almost constant change and challenge, the AFP It was a difficult change for the AFP, the Operation Shard. – AFP Museum Collection is in a sound corporate and operational first attempt applied to the AFP’s five 10 years ago. E-commerce, e-crime and associated activities will continue to receive a position. Firstly, we have created a flexible outcome structure used during 1999– money laundering are increasingly reliant on high level of attention by the AFP. We already and professional work environment 2000, proved too complex. Consequently and facilitated by the growing sophistication have in place electronic evidence teams and have a highly motivated and skilled a revised two-outcome approach was of technology. The rapid development (formerly called computer crime teams) in workforce. Secondly, while we have the approved for use in 2000–01 to incorporate of technological capabilities presents an Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and responsibility to argue our case for longer Commonwealth and ACT Government enormous challenge for law enforcement. Sydney. term funding requirements, we presently arrangements and align services and outputs have the support of the Government in “Crime at the speed of thought – the theme “The AFP’s electronic forensic support team along similar lines to the former program terms of the work we are doing and a of the 2000 Commissioner’s Conference in Canberra will continue to service the structure. commitment to the funding we need to do – is much more than a catchy motif, it is a increasing demand for forensic analysis Future Outlook it,” Commissioner Palmer concluded. reality and we must develop the expertise from within the AFP, and from our law With the end of his term approaching, to use this technology to our advantage. enforcement partners. This facility will be Mick Palmer retired as AFP Commissioner Commissioner Palmer took the opportunity Encryption of data and financial records has supported by state-of-the-art computer on 14 March 2001. to provide Minister Vanstone with a snapshot the potential to make law enforcement even technology and will draw on the services of what he considered the law enforcement more difficult. of specialist computer professionals who landscape of the near future might be. are otherwise engaged in research and The AFP has an increasingly diverse role in development activities for the AFP. “The criminal environment in the first decade addressing many of the issues we now face of the 21st century will be, and already was as a result of the impact the Internet is having “It is fundamentally important, however, in many instances, very different to that of on our environment. Computer crime and that the AFP develop its capability in

52 Chapter 5: The Keelty Years 2001–09 YEAR IN REVIEW

2000–01

If it had been Mick Palmer’s mission The Changing Workforce to reform the AFP to meet the law There were three significant senior enforcement challenges of the 21st management appointments during the century, it would be up to Mick Keelty year. Simon Overland was appointed as to meet those challenges head on. Chief Operating Officer, John Murray as Chief Police Officer for the ACT, and Marion Sworn in on 2 April 2001, by October that Cowden as General Manager People and year, Commissioner Keelty was able to tell October 2000: Operation Logrunner was an international operation which netted a 357kg Finance. Minister Ellison: “The AFP was in a sound heroin stockpile in Fiji in October 2000. – AFP Museum Collection corporate and operational position and is Commissioner Keelty noted that the profile well able to continue meeting the current of those joining the AFP had changed and future law enforcement challenges In addition, the Government’s commitment These achievements included: considerably. The most recent recruits had such as transnational crime, electronic to adequately resourcing and funding the n support to the NSW Police Service an average age of 27 years. More than crime and the increasing globalisation AFP and the continuation of the reform for the security overlay for the Sydney 70 per cent had a tertiary qualification of organised crime. The forging of new process has strengthened our ability to 2000 Olympic Games and more than 30 per cent had second deliver effective law enforcement services.” language skills. relationships and the maintenance of n the seizure of 357kg of heroin, Commissioner Keelty said. those already existing with overseas law believed destined for Australia, Electronic Crime enforcement organisations and agencies During 2000–01, the AFP completed a in a multinational, multi-agency The re-profiling of the AFP’s workforce will no doubt continue to provide valuable three-year program of targeted reforms, investigation in Fiji came at a time when e-crime issues were returns. implemented following the Ayer’s Review. n ongoing record seizures of illicit drugs firmly on the agenda. At the time it was “A cultural change within the AFP has The resulting AFP Reform Program was with partner agencies estimated that cybercrime was costing seen the organisation become more designed to augment an internal reform companies worldwide approximately n the arrest and sentencing of more performance-driven, and this report program started in 1995. Key funding $3 trillion a year. Further, an estimated than 300 people in relation to highlights the AFP’s new capability to elements included an increase in staffing, 50,000 Australian companies suffered people smuggling activities since measure its success by benchmarking an enhanced training and an operational heavy losses as a result of infection amendments to the Migration Act against other organisations around the re-equipment program. The reforms, along by the Love Bug and Anna Kournikova world. Business Activity Analysis (BAA) is with other significant funding measures such 1958 came into effect in July 1999 viruses. Already that year hackers had an initiative introduced during the reporting as those provided under the National Illicit n the expansion of the AFP’s Overseas tapped into computer switchboards of period, that has provided significant benefits Drug Strategy and those to combat people Liaison Officer network to 33 officers 12 of Australia’s largest corporations and to the AFP in improving business planning smuggling, contributed to an unprecedented in 21 countries including Burma, ran up $12 million worth of untraceable by measuring both inputs and outputs. year of operational achievements. Colombia and The . phone calls.

54 YEAR IN REVIEW

2000–01

Apart from fraud committed via “It was the firm view of the AFP, the ACT e-commerce, the Internet was providing a and Australian governments that the means of anonymous communication for people of the ACT are best served by the serious and organised crime syndicates. current arrangements,” Commissioner Keelty said. “Consorting laws of yesteryear that prevented criminals from gathering “The problems created by two separate together to plan their crimes are irrelevant police services operating in a jurisdiction in cyberspace,” Commissioner Keelty like the ACT were well documented by Sir May 2001: In Operation Montego AFP and Customs officers with Queensland Police seized Robert Mark in 1978 and his arguments emphasised. 96.59kg of cocaine on 3 May 2001 from a yacht located near Moreton Island off the coast of Brisbane. – AFP Museum Collection are still valid today. The seamless The Fight Against Drugs jurisdiction has been operating extremely A worrying trend for law enforcement With the AFP, Customs and partner and strengthening its relationships with well from an operational perspective and complements the diverse demands placed at this time was that traditional heroin law enforcement agencies regularly regional law enforcement agencies. on the AFP in its national and international producers were now able to diversify seizing significant amounts of drugs Policing the ACT roles,“ he said. their production into methamphetamines, and confiscating luxury boats, cars and and there was a flood of these drugs into other assets, Australia was becoming At some point in every AFP Asia. Some 13 million ecstasy tablets increasingly unattractive place for drug Commissioner’s career, the question about were seized during just two operations in syndicates to do business. the creation of a separate police service Thailand at this time. Methamphetamine for the ACT is asked. Commissioner Keelty, use was widespread and was posing an The Neighbouring Region who began his career in the ACT Police increasing challenge to law enforcement. Engagement with neighbouring countries prior to its inclusion in the AFP, was in a While most methamphetamine was emerged as another critical strategy for unique position to answer this question. produced domestically, major importations combating transnational crime. The AFP from Asia were beginning. was now providing strategic assistance and While starting in the ACT, he had seen training to law enforcement partners in the service in many parts of Australia including The drug trade is a business that region and this was starting to pay major General Manager of Northern Region (Qld accumulates assets and money. Proposals operational dividends. and NT). He had, in effect, seen both sides for a revised Proceeds of Crime legislation of the coin. was likely to be a major deterrent placing During year, the AFP sent peacekeepers the onus on suspects to prove in court that and peace monitors to East Timor and His response to this question, whenever their assets and wealth had been obtained the Solomon Islands creating a nexus asked was to repeat what each of the AFP legitimately. between its peacekeeping operations Commissioners had said before him.

55 YEAR IN REVIEW

2001–02

Commissioner Mick Keelty opened his carry out its new functions and changed 2001–02 annual report to Senator relationships with key Commonwealth Ellison from a point of view that only a and state partners and clients came from police officer holding a Master of Public decisions made at the Special Leaders’ Summit on Transnational Crime and Policy and Administration could take. Terrorism. One such key decision was the He told the Minister for Justice and move to establish the Australian Crime Customs: ”The AFP was one of only a Commission, and for it to be operational by 27 July 2001: Operation Feria in Western Australia resulted in the seizure of 938kg of the end of 2002. few police organisations worldwide that cocaine from the US-registered vessel, White Dove, moored at Dulverton Bay, 700km north was able to closely identify what people, of Perth. – AFP Museum Collection The AFP had been through a decade of resources and costs are associated with change under Commissioners McAulay priorities, while continuing routine After September 11 various forms of operational activity. Its and Palmer to prepare it for the unknown investigations. To achieve this, a more planning closely aligns performance- Following the September 11 terrorism world of the 21st century. Allowed only a rigorous criminal targeting regime was oriented strategies, implemented at attacks in the US, the AFP immediately short time to survey the terrain of the new introduced to complement a reassessment various levels, to meet flexibility in desired addressed what was clearly going to be century, Commissioner Keelty would now of priorities. While this approach met outcomes that may change in either the a completely different law enforcement have to quicken the pace of change so that urgent demands placed on the AFP, it was short or long term.” environment for the foreseeable future. The the AFP did not fall behind. a situation that was unsustainable for an dominant issue by far for the AFP would be It was this level of adaptability that enabled extended period of time. Recognition of Commissioner Keelty said: “Making this making the transition to an organisation that the AFP to react quickly to Australia’s this fact came with an increased resource transition was the key strategic issue for was now being redefined by its increased heightened security needs following the allocation in the 2002–03 Federal Budget. the AFP. It will present substantial internal role in all aspects of counter-terrorism. 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks and external change management issues. During 2001–02, the AFP continued in the US. The impact was almost The AFP now began evolving into a They will be complicated by the fact that to implement a business planning and immediate on Australian security and law substantially different organisation to the role and responsibility adjustments, performance improvement framework to enforcement and created the need to what it had been. The world had changed such as an enhanced protection and drive better service delivery to its clients. engage in investigations in support of US overnight and the AFP needed to react counter-terrorism role, are in a direction To guide this process the AFP was now authorities as well as intelligence gathering quickly. Pragmatism led to the decision to that neither the AFP nor some key partners entering into a second independently and investigation of related matters under incorporate the Australian Protective Service and clients were contemplating prior to conducted client satisfaction survey, Australian law. (APS) into the AFP from 1 July 2002 and a September 11.” acknowledging that the results of the first menu of new or enhanced protection roles The AFP’s flexible teams-based structure survey had helped frame a number of “During the first quarter of 2002–03 a and responsibilities began to evolve. was instrumental in allowing it to redirect successful service agreements with key key area of AFP focus will be determining its resources swiftly to emerging higher clients. Stronger legislative support for the AFP to in detail how government adjustments

56 YEAR IN REVIEW

2001–02

to the AFP’s strategic directions are to be opportunity for insight into the implemented,” Commissioner Keelty said. characteristics of the Australian heroin and broader illicit drugs market. Firstly, the The Howard Government supported the existence of the shortage was taken as AFP Reform Program by funding of an additional $398 million over four years in proof of the value of pursuing drug supply the 2002–03 Federal Budget. reduction strategies, and secondly, the AFP linked with the academic community to Business as Usual quantify the benefits of reduced supply. While addressing the ramifications for 21 February 2001:AFP officers in Melbourne intercepted a truck carrying illegally traded tobacco in 82 bales weighing 100kg each. The shipment travelled to Melbourne from There was an emerging certainty about the Australia of the September 11 attacks in Mareeba in Queensland. – AFP Museum Collection harm from the use of amphetamine-type New York and Washington, the AFP still stimulants (ATS), which was an expanding had to continue its routine and not-so- market in Australia, ironically attributed routine commitments. Among the latter to the heroin shortage. This increased was providing support to the Queensland demand was being catered to by organised Police for security to the Commonwealth crime, the investigation of which was likely Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to impact on AFP priorities and resource at Coolum, Queensland, in March 2002. allocations. Originally scheduled for October 2001, People Smuggling CHOGM was prudently postponed and when eventually held, the event met with During 2001–02 the AFP targeted a no major security incidents. number of significant figures in people- smuggling syndicates. These people were The Fight Against Drugs either arrested, or if outside Australian During 2001–02, the AFP continued to jurisdiction, their operations severely play a major role in the fight against illicit disrupted by cooperation between the AFP drugs. This effort contributed to a heroin and overseas law enforcement agencies. shortage, a situation unique to Australia In February 2002, Prime Minister Howard during the preceding two years and announced that Australia would help recognised as such by the United Nations the Indonesian National Police (INP) to Drug Commission in March 2002. 26 December 2000: AFP officers in Melbourne seized cricket bats and wall plaques patrol the thousands of kilometres of The shortage provided an unparalleled suspected as being unapproved Bradman memorabilia. – AFP Museum Collection Indonesian coastline that were havens

57 YEAR IN REVIEW

2001–02

for people smugglers. In the 2002–03 Budget an additional $1.5 million over four years was promised to the AFP for the construction of five patrol vessels for use by small units within the INP. These boats would patrol extensive areas within Indonesian waters in order to prevent illegal immigrants leaving Indonesia. Policing in the ACT The ACT remained one of the safest places in which to live and work recording below national average levels of crimes against the community, including burglary, theft, and armed robbery, as well as a decrease in motor vehicle theft. Protective Service Under the Australian Protective Service Amendment Act 2002 responsibility for the management of the APS transferred budget meant that the AFP had not Certified Agreement Developments well, and just as importantly, identified from the Secretary of the Attorney- recruited in sufficient numbers for several other areas where improvements needed During 2001–02 work began on a new General’s Department to the AFP years. This resulted in the AFP at this to be made to management practices. The certified agreement that followed the Commissioner taking effect on 1 July point in time having an arguably large survey delivered a benchmark for strategy far-reaching reforms in employee terms 2002. proportion of relatively new members. development and . and conditions of the first agreement. This was somewhat balanced by the New Recruiting The existing agreement provided a solid older average age (28 years) and broader foundation on which the new agreement Even though the AFP had absorbed the life experience of its recruits, but the would be based. APS, there was still a need to recruit in challenge for AFP management was During 2001–02, a staff workplace significant numbers. The application of how to provide appropriate mentoring Above: The Canberra Times obituary for ongoing efficiency dividends and its arrangements and support for these new opinion survey identified several areas in Sir Colin Woods was written by Sir Colin’s consequent impact on the AFP’s overall members. which the organisation was performing original media advisor Gregson Edwards.

58 YEAR IN REVIEW

2002–03

By far the most significant event The Hilton bombing killed two council covered by the AFP’s 2002–03 workers and a police officer, injured eleven annual report to Minister Ellison were others and gave rise to not only a royal the bombings in Bali. The bombings commission, but was a factor in expediting took place on 12 October 2002 at the creation of the AFP. two nightclubs in the tourist district of The investigation of the bombings in Kuta and outside the US consulate at Bali put the INP and the AFP in the Renon. international spotlight and provided proof The bombing of Paddy’s Bar and the Sari of the effectiveness of international and Club resulted in 202 people being killed, domestic law enforcement cooperation among them 88 Australians. The explosion arrangements that had been quietly outside the US consulate caused no established by the AFP in the preceding casualties. years. An invitation by the INP for the AFP to Under Commissioner Keelty, the AFP participate in the investigation was a responded to the challenge of the Bali turning point in the AFP’s history. As bombings with speed and efficiency. Commissioner Keelty put it to Minister During the Bali investigations, at any one Ellison in the 2002–03 annual report: time, the AFP had an average of 40 federal “This particular 12-month reporting period agents and analysts on the island assisting was one of the most momentous in the the INP on issues including disaster victim history of the AFP.” identification, forensic investigation, “Incidents at home and abroad have criminal intelligence analysis and bomb brought changes upon us, but we have data analysis. The AFP also worked closely responded with firmness, with speed and on the investigation and the preparation for with confidence”. prosecution. At its peak, about 100 AFP members were deployed to Bali. Not since the 1978 Sydney Hilton Hotel October 2002: Operation Alliance began when three terrorist bombs were detonated on the bombing had Australia been confronted Indonesian island of Bali on 12 October 2002 resulting in the death of 202 people, 88 of “This would not have been possible had so starkly with the spectre of terrorism. them Australian. – AFP Museum Collection it not been for the support of state and

59 YEAR IN REVIEW

2002–03

territory police services in Australia which Crime Coordination Centre (TCCC) where so capably joined with us to assist the INP,” teams of analysts, intelligence officers Commissioner Keelty said. and federal agents were created to work Now a part of the AFP, Australian together on the full range of transnational Protective Service (APS) officers were crime issues. also sent to Bali to provide security for the Australian Crime Commission members involved in the investigation. established October 2002: For the first time in an AFP investigation, 3D laser imagery was used to The Bali bombings demonstrated how record crime scenes. This image is of Paddy’s Bar.– AFP Museum Collection The Australian Crime Commission (ACC) global law enforcement alliances can was founded on 1 January 2003 with penetrate terrorist organisations and Commissioner Keelty nominated as Chair uncover previously unknown links and of the Board. The ACC replaced the NCA associations. During the first four months and the ABCI and the Office of Strategic of the investigation, more information Crime Assessments. Its functions was uncovered on the operation and included: networking of Jemaah Islamiyah than in many previous years of intelligence n criminal intelligence collection and operations. analysis After the Bali bombings, AFP officers n setting national criminal intelligence deployed to the Philippines and Saudi priorities Arabia to work with international partners n conducting intelligence-led following terrorist incidents at in those investigations of criminal activity locations. of national significance including Transnational Crime Coordination the conduct and/or coordination of Centre investigative and intelligence task forces as approved by the ACC Board The experience in collecting and coordinating large amounts of information n the exercise of coercive powers to 12 May 2003: Trials relating to the began in Indonesia and resulted on transnational crime led to the creation, in 32 convictions as well as the execution, by firing squad, of Imam Samudra, Amrozi assist in intelligence operations and on 11 December of the Transnational Nurhasyim and Ali Ghufron on 9 November 2008. – AFP Museum Collection. investigations.

60 YEAR IN REVIEW

2002–03

The Internal Environment Recognising this, the Government launched the Australian High Tech Crime In 2002–03, the AFP received stronger Centre (AHTCC) on 2 July 2003. legislative support to carry out its functions (such as the Measures to The AHTCC was hosted by the AFP Combat Serious and Organised Crime Act and Commissioner Keelty said: “Our 2001, Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and commitment to battling high tech crime Cybercrime Act 2001). The AFP changed was shown in an internationally ground- 16 April 2003: Operation Sorbet recovered 50kg of heroin worth $164 million which had breaking investigation relating to a network relationships with key Commonwealth been landed off the coast near Lorne. The seizure led to the armed boarding of the vessel and state partners and clients, arising Pong Su and the arrest of 34 people. – AFP Museum Collection distributing copyright-protected music from decisions flowing from the Special via MP3 files over the Internet. Music remained a significant issue, with Australian heroin shortage since late Leaders’ Summit (April 2002) and the industry complainants suggested this social issues world wide continuing to 2000 was under assessment, death from Government threw its support behind the alleged infraction was worth potentially generating a large pool of people willing heroin overdoses fell by 58 per cent in AFP with record funding of an additional $70 million. The AFP’s action was the first to migrate illegally. While there were 2001. Cocaine and ATS appeared to have $398 million over four years in the of its type in the world.” no detected boat arrivals of substance filled part of the void left by the heroin 2002–03 Budget. As the year ended, the Minister for Foreign involving the landing of unlawful non- shortage, possibly leading to signs of Affairs and Trade, Alexander Downer put Significant work also continued on the citizens in Australia since December growing cocaine and ATS consumption by forward a proposal for a peacekeeping incorporation of the APS into the AFP. 2001, there was ongoing illegal migration intravenous drug users. force in the Solomon Islands, led by The APS was moving from a discrete by air to Australia, by means of false or Australia was following the broad global Australia. The AFP and Australian Defence functional division within the AFP to fraudulently obtained documentation. have its personnel integrated throughout trend of increasing demand for ATS which Force were to play the senior roles in the the AFP. This arrangement was aimed The next sizeable boat arrival occurred inevitably led to increasingly large seizures project. at enhancing the AFP’s capabilities to on 1 July 2003, when a vessel carrying in 2002–03. 53 Vietnamese arrived off the coast of counter the threat of terrorism and to High Tech Crime Centre prevent it undermining Australia’s national Port Hedland. An Australian national was security. arrested and charged with involvement in The criminal use of advanced technology bringing them to Australia. became more evident and was increasingly People Smuggling becoming the tool used to commit a The Heroin Shortage People smuggling (including the wide range of offences including drug trafficking of women and children) While the long-term impact of the trafficking, people smuggling and terrorism.

61 YEAR IN REVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW 2003–04 YEAR

As the AFP approached its 25th The detonation of a terrorist bomb in the anniversary, Commissioner Keelty felt foyer of Jakarta’s J W Marriott Hotel on the organisation had continued to grow 5 August 2003 served as a powerful as a dynamic policing organisation, reminder of the ongoing nature of this but it was facing unprecedented work. Again the AFP was asked by the INP challenges both in national security to take part in the investigation of the blast. and in upholding the security of Operation Helpem Fren Australia’s regional neighbours. On 24 July 2003 Australian Army and Commissioner Keelty, having guided his AFP personnel touched down in the management team in building strategic 24 July 2003: The AFP component of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Solomon Islands as part of the Regional crime-fighting relationships in Australia Islands (RAMSI) arrived in Honiara under the command of AFP Assistant Commissioner Ben and overseas to increase the AFP’s McDevitt, to begin Operation Helpem Fren. – AFP Museum Collection Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands effectiveness in fighting crime, knew (RAMSI), Operation Helpem Fren. terrorism remained at the forefront of in Canberra. Roche had been arrested by that the bottom line with the Australian Working alongside other Pacific nations AFP business. Australia’s ability to detain the AFP on 18 November 2002. Government came down to being able and the Australian Defence Force, in suspects and disrupt and confiscate terrorist to demonstrate the best return for the tax During the year, the AFP assumed less than a year RAMSI removed almost funding was enhanced through the drafting payers’ money. Backed by statistics, he was responsibility for counter-terrorist first 4,000 weapons and more than 300,000 of a suite of new legislation to strengthen now in a position to represent the AFP’s response at Australian airports and took rounds of ammunition from the streets capacity for detecting and monitoring results in dollars and cents terms. and made more than 3,000 arrests. suspicious activity. The AFP provided input direct follow-up action on more than 500 He reported to Minister Ellison in the into this important area of policy. of the 19,000 reports to the National This enabled the people of the Solomon 2003–04 annual report that for every Security Hotline received that year. Islands to enjoy a safer community and At the national level, on 1 June a Perth dollar invested in the AFP, its economic heralded new directions in the AFP’s court sentenced Jack Roche to nine On the international front, Operation investigations returned $6.00; its drug approach to regional policing through the years in prison for a terrorist-related Alliance, the ongoing INP–AFP investigations returned $5.20 and its creation of the International Deployment activity, making him the first person investigation into the Bali bombings led protection services returned at least $4.04. Group (IDG). to be convicted under Australia’s new to 36 arrests with 33 of those charged Counter Terrorism anti-terror laws. Roche pleaded guilty convicted and sentenced to penalties The IDG was created to provide a pool Changes in the security environment midway through his trial on a charge of ranging from three years in jail to the death of members ready for deployment to around the world ensured that counter conspiring to blow up the Israeli embassy penalty. regional areas to work alongside state

62 YEAR IN REVIEW

2003–04

and territory police in response to calls abuse, computer intrusions, creation for assistance and at government request. and distribution of computer viruses, Announced in February 2004, IDG importation of prohibited substances, and personnel were already working in the threats against Australia’s Critical National Solomon Islands. Cyprus, Jordan, and Information Infrastructure. Timor-Leste. It had also supported areas such as Another key mission to Papua New counter terrorism, protective security and Guinea was in the advanced stages of March 2004: About 1.5 tonnes of pseudoephedrine hypochloride was seized in the the multi-agency Identity Crime Taskforce. preparation towards the end of June Philippines allegedly destined for Australia and believed to have the potential to generate somewhere between 900kg and 1.3 tonnes of amphetamines. – AFP Museum Collection In addition, Australia’s five biggest banks, 2004. plus MasterCard, Visa International, and Throughout the year, the AFP also helped The AFP’s International Network opened other countries in the region. Six people the Credit Union Society along with the establish new Transnational Crime new posts in Pretoria, Dubai and Bali were arrested and charged. Australian Bankers Association formed a Coordination Centres in Indonesia, bringing the number of overseas posts to Since late 2000 this kind of cooperation strategic partnership with the AHTCC to Cambodia and Fiji to improve intelligence 32 located in 26 countries. The Network had dismantled major trafficking rings arrest growth in online banking frauds. sharing and investigative capacity in the made significant advances in enhancing supplying the Australian market with heroin region. cooperation with overseas counterparts Change to Organisational Structure from South-East Asia. with operational highlights including The AFP also hosted the annual South The year also saw the AFP embark on a multi-agency investigation into the Strategic Partnerships Pacific Chiefs’ of Police Conference a major organisational review with the activities of a Hong Kong and Malaysia- (SPCPC) in Brisbane, bringing together Recognising the role the community plays introduction of a functional framework based which led to the seizure of police chiefs from 21 nations to discuss in modern law enforcement, the AFP to nationally prioritise and respond more a clandestine laboratory set up to produce developments in major crime. negotiated strategic partnerships with a quickly to new challenges in the criminal crystal methylamphetamine (ice) in Fiji. number of private industry and academic environment. Under the theme Terrorism: The Wider This followed an agreement between law organisations during the year. Law Enforcement Context, the conference enforcement agencies in Malaysia, Fiji, The Australian Protective Service continued formulated a strategic plan to more Philippines, New Zealand, Hong Kong, More than 20 private and public sector to integrate with the AFP, bringing together effectively target organised crime and to and Australia. The agreement focused on agencies joined the AHTCC. In operation responsibilities for aviation security and strengthen the crime fighting capacity of both the syndicate’s ability to establish an for less than a year, the Centre made major infrastructure protection with AFP Pacific nations. The forum also endorsed a ATS laboratory in Fiji and the subsequent significant inroads into investigating protection services. To accommodate this strategy to combat the trafficking of ATS. trafficking of illicit drugs into Australia and crimes including e-fraud, online child expansion, the Australian Government

63 YEAR IN REVIEW

2003–04

announced funding for a permanent the transfer of the National Missing new home for the AFP in the Anzac Park Persons Unit to the AFP from the ACC. West building in Canberra’s Parliamentary Since 1996 the Unit had provided a and Defence precincts. While national coordinating role to reduce the this move did not eventuate, the move to incidence and impact of missing persons. a new and larger headquarters was now Placing it within the AFP provided better inevitable. opportunities to liaise with, and support, law enforcement efforts in Australia and An accommodation upgrade was also 22 October 2003: During the year ACT policing and national protection staff provided support to visits by world leaders including United States President George W. Bush. – AFP overseas. scheduled for the AFP’s Wanggirrali Museum Collection Ngurrumbai Centre near Canberra’s airport Public Recognition to maintain a permanent home for the For some time the AFP had been IDG and other specialist teams including developing its work/life diversity program forensics and information technology. which received public acclamation by Policing in the ACT winning the Gold Award for a large business at the 2004 Australian During the year, ACT policing and national Chamber of Commerce and Industry protection staff provided support to visits Work and Family Awards. In the same by world leaders including United States year the AFP began to formally recognise President George W. Bush and Chinese the performance of its staff with the President Hu Jintao. introduction of its Commissioner’s Medals Meanwhile in ACT Policing, the five-year for Innovation and Excellence and other arrangement between the AFP and the commendations and group citations. ACT Government to provide policing services in Canberra was due to expire in March 2005 and work was underway in developing the next agreement. National Missing Persons Unit 5 May 2004: The AFP won the Gold Award or a large business at the 2004 Australian Other national developments included Chamber of Commerce and Industry Work and Family Awards. – AFP Museum Collection

64 YEAR IN REVIEW

2004–05

The AFP’s 25th anniversary year was a permanent AFP counter-terrorism a strong operational year and a time presence in the Philippines. when the organisation reflected on Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement its past and considered strategic new The opening of the Jakarta Centre directions for meeting the national law for Law Enforcement Cooperation, at enforcement and security challenges Semarang in Indonesia, was regarded of the future. internationally as a major counter- terrorism innovation. The $38 million It was also the year the AFP moved to a joint venture between the Australian functional management model to provide and Indonesian governments was a higher level of national coordination 1 July 2004: The Australian Protective Service was fully integrated and re-badged as AFP managed and developed by the AFP and and support and better improve lines of Protective Service. – AFP Museum Collection attracted interest and support from law reporting. operational outcomes, enabling us to more enforcement landscape. The bombing enforcement agencies around the world. In the annual report Commissioner Keelty than deliver on ambitious business targets. outside the Australian Embassy in The Centre quickly earned a reputation told Minister Ellison: “I am pleased to report Jakarta, in September 2004, served “But sadly, it was a year tempered by some as a counter-terrorism hub, developing that the year was characterised by many to emphasise the ongoing threat to links to transnational crime coordination low points, most notably the murder of high points, our partnerships expanded Australian interests and the importance facilities throughout South-East Asia. Most one of our own, Protective Service Officer and deepened; we took on a range of of a strong and comprehensive national importantly, it was promoting a culture of Adam Dunning, while he was on night new national security responsibilities and response. cooperation and information exchange implemented some measures to tackle patrol in the Solomon Islands. The AFP provided expertise to a number among counter-terrorism authorities in crime across many fronts. “Adam was a highly-valued AFP of investigations into terrorism-related the region, and strengthening capacity to member and his death reminded us all “It was a year when we consolidated our acts overseas, particularly in forensics, thwart future attacks. of the many dangers associated with efforts internationally and looked to new technical and operations support. International Focus our contemporary peacekeeping and horizons; when we strengthened our Assistance included the deployment regional assistance roles; as well as the During the previous 12 months, the workforce and commitment to traditional of Rapid Response Teams to incidents obstacles to security that still have to be AFP’s Overseas Liaison network oversaw operations; and when we applied our such as the Australian Embassy bombing overcome,” Commissioner Keelty said. the establishment of the Indonesian skills in new ways to assist neighbouring in Indonesia and the Superferry 14 Transnational Crime Coordination Centre communities in need. National Security bombing in the Philippines. and the expansion of the Transnational “Importantly, it was a year when these The spectre of terrorism continued Significantly, the success of these Crime Unit network in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa investments contributed to strong to dominate the international law missions led to the establishment of and Vanuatu to boost intelligence and

65 YEAR IN REVIEW

2004–05

information-sharing capacity throughout Cooperation Program, aimed to repeat the Asia-Pacific region. It also continued the success achieved in the Solomon to implement the successful LECP to Islands. Deployments were undertaken strengthen offshore crime-fighting skills in Bougainville and Port Moresby, with and expertise. encouraging early success recorded by The value of relationships forged through means of high density and highly visible this network was underscored in the patrols. aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami. At its peak, 161 Australian Assisting Soon after the tsunami swept over Police were assisting the Royal Papua the island of Phuket on 26 December 22 December 2004: Protective Service Officer Adam Dunning, 26 was shot and killed in New Guinea Constabulary become a more 2004, the AFP was invited by the Thai Honiara during a routine vehicle patrol as part of his duties with the Regional Assistance professional, sustainable and accountable Government to jointly command the Mission to the Solomon Islands. His funeral service was held at the Duntroon Chapel on policing entity. However, a constitutional international disaster victim identification Canberra on 28 December and attended by the Governor-General, Prime Minister and a challenge to the legality of the Enhanced wide range of senior Defence and AFP personnel. – AFP Museum Collection effort on the resort island. This was an Cooperation Program by the Governor of enterprise that required coordinating the was seized at the Australian border, Overseas Missions the Morobe Province, Luther Wenge, led to efforts of 30 countries. approximately three times that detected in the suspension of this mission. In 2004–05, up to 500 IDG personnel, the previous year, while increased seizure Of all the countries hit by the tsunami, including representatives from state and Training Centre Opened rates were also recorded for cocaine, Thai coastal resorts incurred the greatest territory police were on missions in the MDMA and precursor chemicals. These The AFP’s $2.8 million International number of deaths of foreign tourists. Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and interdictions were regarded as significant Training Complex was opened on Working on a rotation roster, close to 200 Timor-Leste. police from Australia were deployed to the by world standards. Canberra’s outskirts in June 2005, to TheRegional Assistance Mission to the equip personnel with the skills required to island as part of a rapid response program. In one Melbourne operation in April Solomon Islands (RAMSI) celebrated operate in the diverse range of conditions During the year AFP personnel were also 2005 involving the AFP, Customs and a its own milestone during the year – its typically encountered when working deployed to support law enforcement range of international law enforcement first anniversary. To mark the occasion, a abroad. authorities, maintain security during the counterparts, more than 1 tonne monument was installed at Police Park in Athens Olympics, and to Iraq to assist of MDMA was intercepted with an Among the many features of the purpose- the capital, Honiara, concreted over the with negotiations over the release of two approximate street value of more than built complex was a streetscape similar to broken remains of thousands of weapons Australian hostages. $250 million. This was Australia’s largest, that found in a small overseas community. surrendered during the mission. and one of the world’s biggest single This facility provides the setting for Drug Detection detections of the street-ready drug for that Another IDG assignment, the mission to important scenario training that helps In 2004–05 more than 180kg of heroin time. Papua New Guinea as part of the Enhanced prepare AFP personnel for a variety of

66 YEAR IN REVIEW

2004–05

unpredictable and sometimes dangerous to build partnerships with government situations. agencies and the private sector. National Overview The Centre hosts representatives from most state and territory police services, To meet the need to keep air travellers as well as personnel from Australian safe, the AFP took on important new Government agencies and representatives responsibilities for security at airports from the major banks and credit card around the country. These responsibilities companies. Among its key operations included implementation of the Counter July 2004: To mark the first anniversary of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon in 2004–05 was Operation Auxin, the Terrorism First Response capability Islands, a monument was constructed in Honiara over the broken remains of thousands of Australian arm of the US-led Operation at 11 airports, the establishment of weapons that were surrendered during that year. – AFP Museum Collection Falcon, an investigation into online child Regional Rapid Deployment Teams sexual abuse. This resulted in the execution and an expansion of the international and internationally to other functional Through membership of initiatives of 548 search warrants and more than responsibilities of the Air Security Officer streams, to improve methods for interdicting such as the Opal Group (a group of law 300 arrests or summonses in a nationally- program. terrorism and other forms of transnational enforcement and government agencies coordinated law enforcement response. These initiatives promoted swift and well crime at the earliest possible stage. developing strategies for tackling identity- In addition, the Centre joined law coordinated responses to security threats based crimes) and the Identity Crime Considerable investigative resources were enforcement agencies from around the in the aviation industry. Taskforce in NSW, the AFP played a lead devoted to combating fraud and money world to establish the Virtual Global in the investigation and disruption of a TheJoint Counter Terrorism Teams also laundering, and the AFP jointly hosted Taskforce – a website working to help number of sophisticated syndicates. These moved to strengthen capacity for guarding meetings of the International Working detect online child abuse and provide operations resulted in the seizure of large against threats on the ground in Australia. Group on Terrorist Financing. The AFP also information and support to victims and As well as conducting strategic training functioned as co-chair, with Japan on the numbers of false passports and federal and their families. It also teamed up with exercises, these teams undertook operations Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering; state identity documents. Microsoft Australia in a strategic training that led to the arrest of two people in a group which strengthens anti-money Strategic Partnerships partnership to improve the capacity of law Australia for suspected links to terrorism. laundering standards throughout the region. enforcement agencies to bring increasingly As the 21st century progressed, an The 2004–05 period also marked the sophisticated cyber criminals to justice. With a key role to play in counter terrorism, emerging theme was the importance second full financial year of operation of the National Security Hotline received of strategic partnerships to prevent and Throughout the reporting year, the AFP more than 6500 calls during the year, with the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. During was involved in a number of executive combat complex crime. more than 400 referred to the AFP for the year the regime became further exchange programs with the business and further examination. In addition, the AFP integrated into the investigative process, Leading the way, the Australian High Tech financial sectors. These programs aimed directed significant resources nationally with more than $88 million restrained. Crime Centre, hosted by the AFP, continued to promote greater understanding of the

67 YEAR IN REVIEW

2004–05

various challenges confronting different agencies, was responsible for the seizure industries in preventing and reducing the of 67 per cent of the heroin seized in impact of crime. Australia, 91 per cent of cocaine, and 87 per cent of ATS, including MDMA. The importance of strong relationships between law enforcement and the In the reporting year, there was also strong community was particularly apparent evidence to show the correlation between AFP heroin seizures and a reduction in the at the local level. ACT Policing enjoyed availability of the drug on the streets. another sound year operationally, working in partnership with the Canberra Commissioner Keelty felt, when compared with seizure rates by agencies abroad, community to maintain the city’s record 14 November 2004: Australian Customs Service and AFP officers in Sydney seized a as one of the safest in which to live. massive 820kg of MDMA tablets and powder, worth around $200 million, in what at these figures placed the AFP at the Significantly, community participation in the time was the biggest ever single seizure of the drug to Australia. The shipment was forefront of international law enforcement concealed in a commercial oven. – Courtesy of Australian Customs and Border Protection efforts to combat illicit drugs. Operation Halite led to further progress Service in reducing burglary and property-based On the Economics and Special Operations crimes in the capital. Burglary offences A Successful Year of specific functional streams, areas front, key performance indicators indicated were down 27 per cent on the previous such as fraud, illicit drug investigations, that AFP economic investigations returned In terms of investigations, the number of counter-terrorism and protection services, $211 million in 2004–05 an increase of year, and the number of motor vehicles cases reaching prosecution more than reported stolen declined by almost one- all showed the AFP returning significant 25 per cent on the previous year. Along doubled on the previous year. A 97 per with this, a new measure developed third. economic and social dividends to the cent success rate was achieved where community. with the assistance of the University of Organisational Focus matters were proven in relation to at least Queensland showed AFP counter-terrorism one offender, significantly higher than the In relation to illicit drugs the AFP Drug operations had been increasing at a steady This expanding and increasingly complex target rate of 90 per cent or more. Harm Index, which estimates the potential rate since 2001. array of AFP responsibilities led to a health and social savings from illicit drug revised approach in the provision of Client surveys, involving Commonwealth seizures, calculated that AFP interdictions The AFP also moved, during the reporting services during the reporting year. and state government agencies, as well as saved the Australian community just under year, to keep building on its evaluation Among these was the completion of the representatives from foreign embassies, $668 million in the reporting year – a 56 framework, investing $1.5 million on a collaborative research project with the integration with the AFP of members of also showed the AFP maintained a per cent rise on the previous year. very high level of satisfaction with university sector to help measure the the former APS and the introduction of Benchmarking studies for the period also investigations, at 94 per cent. performance of the IDG. a functional organisational structure to showed that the AFP, in partnership with enhance the AFP’s business approach. Looking more closely at the performance other Commonwealth and international

68 YEAR IN REVIEW

2005–06

The AFP covered a wide brief of in the of an overseas super- activities in 2005–06. It dealt laboratory, and dismantling one of the with significant counter-terrorism largest precursor smuggling syndicates to investigations, airport security, the arrest target Australia. of high profile criminal identities and Airport Security Review played a key role in the closure of the world’s third-largest clandestine drug In 2005 the Australian Government laboratory. Off shore, the AFP dealt with 18 April 2006: Riots in Honiara in April 2006 led to the destruction of property, but no commissioned Sir John Wheeler to a massive outbreak of civil unrest in the lives were lost due in part to the earlier police campaign that removed firearms from the undertake the Review of Airport Security community. –AFP Museum Collection Solomon Islands. and Policing. From the AFP’s perspective, now being coordinated by IDG. It didn’t take 2006, following a general uprising that key recommendations arising from the The AFP also dismantled major fraud long for the IDG’s abilities to be tested again resulted in widespread destruction of review included the establishment of a syndicates, seized millions of dollars of following an outbreak of street protests in property and loss of life. Working to the Unified Policing Model (UPM) at Australia’s proceeds of crime assets, and responded the Solomon Islands during April 2006 and Australian Defence Force, the AFP assisted 11 Counter Terrorist First Response (CTFR) to the instability within the Asia-Pacific Timor-Leste in June 2006. in re-establishing security. designated airports. region. Post-election violence erupted in the Significant Drug Seizures In 2005–06, the AFP continued to take Three explosions in Bali on 1 October streets of Honiara on 17 April following the fight against crime affecting Australia The AFP and partner agencies prevented 2005 resulted in 22 deaths, including the announcement of the results and offshore, focusing sharply on reducing more than 1 tonne of illicit drugs reaching four Australians. Drawing on the joint Parliament’s selection of a new prime the range of transnational crimes by Australian streets during 2005–06. The experience gained during the 2002 Bali minister. The protests that followed wrought developing sound relationships with level of heroin supply remained reduced bombings, within one hour of this tragedy destruction on many public buildings and while demand for MDMA and other ATS, overseas law-enforcement agencies the INP invited the AFP to participate in injured 31 Australian police. Unlike the and their precursors, continued to be signing a number of agreements with the investigation. The AFP provided 43 civil unrest that occurred prior to the arrival strong. Working in partnership with other law enforcement agencies in Indonesia, members to the INP investigation providing of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Australian and international agencies, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, the skills which included operations support Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in 2003, no one the AFP focused on reducing organised People’s Republic of China, Japan and forensics, disaster victim identification, died during this disturbance, due in part to crime’s capacity to meet this demand. South Korea. Of particular note was bomb data, protection and security, and the absence of firearms surrendered in the counter-terrorism intelligence. These actions included seizing a single the AFP becoming the first Western first wave of the mission. import of more than 350kg of MDMA, law enforcement agency to sign a Regional Instability Similarly, Timor-Leste experienced major dismantling one of the largest clandestine memorandum of understanding with the The response to regional instability was incidents of public disorder during June laboratories detected in Australia, assisting Vietnamese Police.

69 YEAR IN REVIEW

2005–06

(AHTCC) established wide-ranging partnerships with law enforcement, Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement government agencies, industry groups Cooperation and private organisations. Collaboration The AFP’s involvement in the Jakarta between Commonwealth, state and Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation international agencies achieved significant (JCLEC) strengthened in 2005–06. results in investigations and intelligence The year’s major event, the Terrorism operations including electronic commerce Prevention-Law Enforcement Information fraud; computer intrusions, creation and Sharing workshop, involved 23 distribution of computer viruses, and jurisdictions from Asia, South-East Asia, threats against Australia’s critical national the United States, the Pacific and Europe. information infrastructure. In addition to training, a number of 23 June 2005: Prime Minister John Howard, Minister for Justice and Customs Senator Recognition by the Australian Government bilateral arrangements proved beneficial in Chris Ellison and Commissioner Mick Keelty chat during a tour of IDG’s International Village of the significance of the impact of child after the Prime Minister declared it officially open.– AFP Museum Collection developing the capacity of the region and sexual exploitation led to the establishment to counter transnational crime. of the Online Child Sexual Exploitation The AFP-AusAID funded Transnational Team (OCSET) in March 2005. OCSET Crime Coordination Centre and the Jakarta is the operational arm for the delivery of Operations Centre are also located in Commonwealth policy on combating Jakarta. The Jakarta Operations Centre has online child sexual exploitation, and works assisted INP in tracking, locating, and in in partnership with state, territory and many cases arresting key suspects with overseas agencies. Success in this area was terrorist network links. In the Philippines, instantaneous with several arrests made the AFP again joined with AusAID to fund a and 21,781 child pornography images and Counter Terrorism Capacity Building Project. 416 movies located. During 2005–06, this project reached a Counter-Terrorism Activities major milestone with the official opening of the Philippines Bomb Data Centre. Operation Pendennis was a major Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and investigation, drawing on the resources Thailand received similar projects. of the AFP, Victoria Police, NSW Police, the NSW Crime Commission and ASIO, Australian High Tech Crime Centre resulting in 22 arrests. Similarly, Joint In Australia, the High Tech Crime Centre Counter Terrorist Teams provided assistance

70 YEAR IN REVIEW

2005–06

the Australian Transactions Reports and Analysis Centre, showed that $300 million to Queensland and NSW Police in the in Commonwealth tax revenue was at risk investigation into alleged terrorist activities through the participation of Australians in both states. in offshore structures designed to avoid Identity Crime or evade tax. This information led to the largest ever joint investigation between Responding to the growth and wide-scale the ACC, the AFP, the ATO and the CDPP. impact of identity crime the AFP hosted In June 2005, search warrants were the Identity Crime Task Force in NSW. This executed at 48 sites in four states, with involved broad collaboration with a number 8 November 2005: As a result of a joint investigations under Operation Pendennis, another 37 sites visited using the ATO’s of law enforcement and government 17 people were arrested in Melbourne and Sydney. It was alleged in court that after months of discussion the individuals arrested had reached a point of action which included the access powers to combat what was agencies and the investigation of serious purchase of potentially dangerous materials. – AFP Museum Collection assessed to be a significant threat to the and organised identity crime-related offences in NSW. integrity of the Australian taxation system. The ability of this task force to conduct Measuring the AFP’s Performance investigations and disrupt criminal A comprehensive return-on-investment syndicates brought down one of the largest study of illicit drug investigations was fraud syndicates in Australia. In April and conducted during 2005–06. It indicated May 2006, 13 offenders were arrested. that from 2000 to 2005 the estimated Major Frauds overall return to the community from illicit drug investigations was $5.80 for Investigations into a major fraud every dollar invested. The study concluded committed against the Commonwealth that the investment return from joint Superannuation Scheme (CSS) resulted in investigations were even greater with six people being charged. This investigation the joint AFP–Customs investigations identified approximately $150 million returning $6.00, and investigations where had been fraudulently transferred by an Intelligence and the International Network Australian accounting firm to four overseas contributed providing returns of $7.90 and bank accounts held in Greece, Switzerland $8.80 respectively for each dollar invested. and Hong Kong. 29 May 2006: At the request of the Timor-Leste Government, a team of 45 AFP members The same study confirmed that drug Information gathered during another deployed to Timor-Leste in support of the Australian Defence Force led effort to stabilise the investigations returned $9.20 for each investigation and data obtained from country. – AFP Museum Collection dollar invested.

71 YEAR IN REVIEW

2006–07

While the AFP achieved some of its best operational results during 2006– 07, the inherent dangers associated with a police career were emphasised with the deaths of Federal Agent Mark Scott and Commander Brice Steele in the March 2007 air crash in Yogyakarta while travelling as part of the lead party for a Ministerial visit to Indonesia.

The deaths of these two officers was a 29 September 2006: More than 700 police from all Australian jurisdictions gathered in Canberra to attend the Dedication of the National Police Memorial. The march to the Memorial began at Old Parliament House.– AFP Museum Collection massive blow to the AFP as was the death of the Assistant Commissioner Audrey was $621.2 million compared with continued during the year. The combined Hicks had spent six years at Guantanamo Fagan, while on leave, just over a month $165 million for 2005–06. efforts of the AFP and its partner agencies Bay after his capture in Afghanistan later. resulted in 13 men in Sydney and nine in in 2001 suspected of being involved Internet Child Pornography Tributes for all three officers were received Melbourne being committed for trial on in terrorist activities. Under a pre-trial from all parts of the globe in support of The potential for the Internet as a conduit terrorism-related charges. agreement Hicks was returned to Australia for the distribution of child pornography also to serve all but nine months of a seven- their grieving families. Each officer’s funeral During the year, Australia’s first control continued. In February 2007, the AFP’s year sentence imposed by a United States was attended by senior politicians, civic order was issued. On 28 August 2006, Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team, in Military Commission sentence. leaders and hundreds of work colleagues. following the quashing of his convictions partnership with state and territory law for receiving funds from a terrorist In another case, Sydney architect Faheem The Work Continues enforcement, took part in a world-wide organisation and possessing a falsified Lodhi was convicted on 19 June 2006 investigation which was initiated in the The major drug investigations for the passport, Joseph T. Thomas became the and sentenced to 20 years in prison after year involved attempted importations of United States. The investigation resulted in first person to be issued with a control being found guilty of possessing items ATS and precursor chemicals. Cocaine computer equipment containing more than order under the Australian Anti-Terrorism connected with the preparation for a seizures were significantly above those of a million child pornography images being Act 2005. terrorist act. Lodhi was arrested by the AFP heroin during 2006–07. The combined seized and nine arrests in four Australian in 2004 for offences including planning an estimated damage that these drugs jurisdictions. On 21 December 2007 a control order attack on the Sydney electrical grid. would have wrought on Australian was issued against David Hicks to ensure Counter-Terrorism Efforts Protection society, had they managed to get to drug that he was monitored after his release users, expressed as the Drug Harm Index The AFP’s counter-terrorism efforts from Yatala Labour Prison in Adelaide. Aside from Protection portfolio’s routine

72 YEAR IN REVIEW

2006–07

responsibilities of providing protection to signed were the Exchange of Letters for high-office holders and Commonwealth the development of the RTP Transnational property, much of the year’s efforts were Crime Network (TCN) Project and the directed towards providing support establishment and development of the RTP to security measures for Asia Pacific Bomb Data Centre. Economic Cooperation (APEC) regional The AFP increased its affiliation with meetings and preparing for the APEC significant international law enforcement Leader’s Week in Sydney during the first organisations during the year. In February week of September 2007. The Wheeler Review recommended the establishment of a single police command structure 2007, an operational agreement was at Australian airports. – AFP Museum Collection Aviation Security signed with , the European Union’s law enforcement body. Also during Policing Internationally Through its International Network, the The 2005 Wheeler Review recommended 2006–07, AFP officers served in Cyprus AFP contributed significantly to child-sex the establishment of a single police With the incursion of Israeli forces into and Sudan as well as Cambodia, Nauru, offence investigations. command structure at Australian airports, Lebanon to secure the release of two Israeli Vanuatu and Tonga. subsequently, the AFP was tasked with soldiers and to stop continued Hezbollah Australia became a signatory of a number In response to the November 2006 riots in creating the Unified Policing Model (UPM) rocket attacks on northern Israeli cities, MoUs with countries in Asia, the Pacific Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, the AFP, with to create a permanent community policing more than 5000 Australian citizens caught and South America to facilitate efforts to support of the Australian Defence Force presence at Australia’s 11 major airports up in the rolling conflict were assisted combat child-sex offences. Through these (ADF) and , responded By the end of 2006–07, the AFP had by AFP liaison officers stationed in the MoUs, international cooperation, information to assist the Tonga Police Force restore achieved fully staffed airports in Adelaide, Mediterranean to evacuate the troubled area. exchange and capacity-building programs public order and investigate criminal Hobart and Melbourne. enhanced efforts to identify and investigate Also in the Mediterranean, AFP liaison activity. those involved in the sexual exploitation of ACT Policing officers working with Greek authorities children. With RAMSI now in its fourth year, were instrumental in the arrest of alleged In 2006–07, total offences against the Commissioner Keelty asserted that Melbourne crime boss Tony Mokbel who The AFP signed MoUs with the person, sexual offences, offences against Solomon Islanders were now living in a absconded in March 2006 while on Metropolitan Police Service and other property and theft (excluding motor vehicle safer and more stable society than was bail for charges relating to the alleged law enforcement agencies in the UK to theft), were at their lowest point in five thought possible only a few years previous. importation to Australia of almost 3kg of promote closer working relationships and years. Clear-up rates in 2006–07 for many In tandem with community relationships cocaine from Mexico in 2000. strengthen the transnational response to crime-types, including sexual offences, building there was an ongoing program of terrorism and fighting crime. burglary, theft (excluding motor vehicle Internationally, the AFP was a leading capacity building to enhance the skills of theft) and property damage were all at law enforcement agency in efforts to In November 2006, the AFP signed an the Solomon Islands Police. Similarly, the their highest levels in five years. combat sexual offences against children. MoU with the Royal Thai Police (RTP). Also AFP was on a five-year mission to improve

73 YEAR IN REVIEW

2006–07

from the ACT Government for ACT Policing, and $104 million in other externally generated revenue which includes the capabilities of the Vanuatu Police Force protective service charges and criminal through assistance with police officer records checking. training. Business satisfaction The AFP’s commitment to the Pacific also A survey of AFP clients, stakeholders and included providing key personnel to serve partners had been undertaken annually with local police forces. Until late 2006, since 1999–2000. In 2006–07 survey both the Solomon Island Police and the was renamed from Client Satisfaction to Fiji Police were headed by commissioners 14 March 2007: The AFP coordinated the Repatriation Ceremony for five Australians Business Satisfaction in order to better who had been AFP senior officers before among the 22 passengers killed in an air crash at Yogyakarta Airport on 7 March of 2007. reflect the relationship between the AFP their appointment to those Pacific nations. AFP members Commander Brice Steele and Sergeant Mark Scott were among those killed. – AFP Museum Collection and survey participants. Overall satisfaction The difficulties of policing in a political with the AFP increased from 76 per cent space was the subject of an address in the previous year to 80 per cent. Commissioner Keelty gave at the National The National Police Memorial Press Club in October 2006. The concerns he expressed in that speech were The high level of liaison and cooperation reinforced not long after with the ousting that exists between Australia’s federal, state and territory law enforcement agencies, of Commissioner Shane Castles from the was not limited to its operational activities. Solomon Islands and Commissioner Andy This relationship was clearly evidenced by Hughes from Fiji following local agitation. the dedication ceremony for the National Financial Performance Police Memorial in September 2006. The AFP underwent significant growth The memorial, which was a result of the during the previous five years with its combined long-term efforts of all Australian revenue base increasing from $409 million police jurisdictions, was dedicated to in 2001–02 to just under $1.1 billion for the memory of those police officers who 2006–07. Most funding growth occurred were killed or who had died on duty. The in national security efforts and the AFP’s dedication of the memorial took place International Deployment Group. The in the presence of Prime Minister John $1.1 billion operating revenue budget 27 April 2007: A Police Funeral with full Honours marked the sudden passing of ACT Chief Howard and more than 700 police officers for 2006–07 comprised $889 million in Police Officer who was found deceased in a Queensland holiday resort in from all jurisdictions, and an audience of government appropriation, $98 million April of 2007. – AFP Museum Collection around 2000 invited guests.

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2006–07

Dedication Ceremony The Dedication of the National Police Memorial on the evening of 29 September 2006 saw thousands of relatives, friends and colleagues of police officers killed on duty gather on the northern shore of Canberra’s to mark the event. The need for a National Police Memorial was identified in 2001 by the Australian Police Ministers’ Council and was achieved with the cooperation of all police jurisdictions, police associations and the National Capital Planning Authority. The Memorial was officially dedicated by Prime Minister John Howard in the presence of all Australian Police Commissioners following a parade of 700 police representing each State and Territory. Located in Kings Park and adjacent to the Carillon bell tower, the Memorial was designed by Brisbane architects Fairweather Proberts with assistance from Urban Art Projects and carries the names of Australian police from all jurisdictions who have given their lives in service to the community since Australia’s colonial days. 29 September 2006: In a parade more that 1km long, officers from all Australian jurisdictions marched from Old Parliament House to the location of the newly constructed National Police Memorial to attend the first evening Dedication Ceremony. AFP– Museum Collection

75 YEAR IN REVIEW

2007–08

Reporting to Bob Debus the particularly in Asia. As part of this program, new Minister for Home Affairs, the AFP opened a second liaison office in Commissioner Keelty was able to China, in Guangdong province, identified as assert that after five years of substantial a strategic location from which to combat growth, 2007–08 was also a year of the trade in precursor chemicals used to produce ATS and plans were in train to consolidation. establish an AFP office in Laos, a major The AFP’s strategic plan had been reviewed transhipment point for ATS in Asia. April 2008: AFP members earned world-wide praise for the security operation that provided to tackle 21st-century crime and structural Fraud offences continued to be increasingly change to better position the AFP to deal a successful celebration of the Beijing Olympics Torch Relay leg that travelled through Canberra in relative peace. The relay had been the focus of a myriad of violent protests organised, sophisticated, and transnational with an array of challenges. during legs of the relay in other countries. – AFP Museum Collection in nature with new fraud schemes The year started with the largest to date constantly emerging using electronic and drug investigation undertaken by the AFP dismantling of a number of international proactive strategy in taking the fight against Internet media. drug syndicates.” transnational crime offshore by disrupting it after a world record seizure of 4.4 tonnes Project Wickenby, Australia’s largest before it impacts on Australia. of MDMA (ecstasy) on 30 June 2007. Other major drug investigations for the year series of tax fraud investigations, led by This investigation, Operation Inca, included Operation Girra, which involved “We are proud of our efforts in reducing the ATO, continued into its third year, unfolded over 12 months, drawing on a 250kg of cocaine from South-East Asia; the supply of drugs to the community, and remained one of the more resource- substantial resource investment to see it Operation Camino, which involved 124kg with Australia leading the world in MDMA intensive operations undertaken by the through to a successful conclusion. The of cocaine, 66kg of methamphetamines, seizures, and in the five years to June AFP’s Economic and Special Operations syndicate alleged to be responsible for this and 121kg of MDMA from Canada. 2008, the AFP and its partners saved (ESO) function. Critical to the success of importation was also alleged to have been Project Wickenby were the partnerships responsible for the importation of 150kg Operation Octans was an operation where, the Australian community approximately with the ATO, the ACC, ASOC , and the of cocaine. It was further alleged that the in collaboration with authorities from the $4.5 billion in drug related harm, as CDPP. The AFP’s part in Project Wickenby syndicate was involved in a conspiracy to Netherlands, Thailand, Pakistan, Portugal measured by the Drug Harm Index, through over the financial year resulted in several import 6 tonnes of precursor chemicals and the United Kingdom, 15 arrests were disruption of illicit drug importations into prosecutions and $54.6 million in alleged used in the manufacture of amphetamines. made internationally for serious drug our country,” Commissioner Keelty said. offences, which included the arrest of a proceeds of crime being restrained. Commissioner Keelty said: ”Our With the increasing use of ATS in Australia senior investigator with the NSW Crime National Security partnerships with domestic and additional funding was provided to the Commission. international agencies, particularly with AFP under the Government’s ATS package The AFP’s efforts to counter and prevent Customs, produced a number of large- Commissioner Keelty cited these results allowing the AFP to specifically target ATS terrorism threats to Australia and its interests volume drug seizures and the successful as evidence of the success of the AFP’s investigations in Australia and offshore, was a focal point during 2007–08.

76 YEAR IN REVIEW

2007–08

In addition to disrupting threats of this International Focus nature, the AFP made significant progress The AFP’s International Network was in enhancing the capability of regional instrumental in negotiating a number counterparts to combat terrorism. of key new partnership arrangements In Australia, a National Community during the reporting year, elevating AFP Engagement Strategy was devised based relationships with international partner on the success of the AFP’s Islamic Liaison agencies to new levels. These included an Team in Melbourne which created a 2 October 2008: ACT Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell and agreement between Australia and Europol liaison goodwill link with the local Islamic acting Chief Police Officer Leanne Close unveil the plans for the new Belconnen Police ratified in September 2007, which community. To repeat the success, teams Station. – AFP Museum Collection enhanced the exchange of information were established in Sydney, Brisbane and a terrorism organisation. A fortnight “arrest, detention, charging, prosecution to assist in the fight against transnational Perth to improve understanding about the later, the charges were dropped leading and release,” of Dr Haneef. Clarke’s report crime. role of the AFP in the community, identify Commissioner Keelty to commission a high- was released on 23 December 2008 and community needs and vulnerabilities, The AFP was elevated to the status of a level review to examine the interoperability among its findings said the actions taken by and engage with those people at risk of dialogue partner in the Association of between the AFP and its national security agencies since the investigation to identify radicalisation. South-East Asian Nations Chiefs of Police partner agencies, primarily ASIO and the what went wrong, and to implement (ASEANAPOL) forum, a high-level forum Counter-terrorism investigations undertaken CDPP. safeguards to stop it happening again, gave promoting close cooperation among during the year included Operation him confidence that a similar situation Headed by the former Chief Justice of NSW, policing agencies in the region with the Ridgecrop–, which investigated would not recur. first dialogue partner representation at the the theft and sale of military weapons and Sir Laurence Street, the review was released in February 2008. It recommended In response to the report the AFP issued 28th ASEANAPOL conference in Brunei Operation Skipsea, which investigated in May 2008. terrorism offences in suburban Brisbane. improvements in operational decision- a media release saying: ‘The AFP agrees making processes, information sharing, joint with the description given by the Attorney International Deployment Group Operation Rain investigated possible taskforce arrangements, and training and General that the Clarke report is “balanced, On the operational front, the AFP’s Australian links to the attempted terrorist education in terrorism investigations. thorough and constructive” as well as International Deployment Group (IDG) attacks in London and the fire-bomb considering it to be a comprehensive Operation Rain was also the subject of continued its missions in Timor-Leste attack on Glasgow Airport in June 2007. account of the events and circumstances of Circumstances surrounding the bombing a Government inquiry and on 13 March and the Solomon Islands. In addition to this particular investigation.’ led to the 2 July arrest of an Indian 2008, the Commonwealth Attorney- contributing to the development and physician, Dr Mohamed Haneef, at Brisbane General Robert McClelland announced The AFP then appointed a senior advisory maintenance of law and order, specialist Airport. Dr Haneef was interviewed over a former NSW Supreme Court Justice, John team to review and implement all tactical staff were deployed to Timor- 12-day period and charged with supporting Clarke would chair an inquiry into the recommendations outlined in the report. Leste following assassination attempts

77 Officer for the ACT and Andrew Wood YEAR IN REVIEW was appointed Chief Operating Officer in November 2007. 2007–08 The creation of High Tech Crime Operations (HTCO) absorbed a number of existing AFP functions including the former Australian High Tech Crime Centre, the Online Child Sex Exploitation teams, the Cyber Safety teams and Child Sex Tourism on President Ramos-Horta and Prime teams. HTCO within a short time forged Minister Gusmao in February 2008. strong relationships with the private sector Further abroad, four senior AFP officers particularly in the realm of online protection were deployed to Afghanistan in support and policing including Google and of rule-of-law efforts and the AFP also MySpace and the secondment of an AFP maintained its commitment to the United member to Microsoft in Seattle. Nations Mission in Sudan. Accommodation Within Australia, the IDG provided 2-9 September 2007: APEC Leaders Week in Sydney drew large numbers of protestors. The personnel to Operation Themis, the AFP provided officers to supplement NSW Police in crowd control and took the lead on a TheEdmund Barton Building (EBB) in the number of specified security situations.– AFP Museum Collection Northern Territory Police-led response to Parliamentary precinct of Canberra was assist remote indigenous communities in law enforcement officials, academics and Corporate Developments identified as the preferred option for a the territory with law and order issues. government delegates from 31 countries permanent national headquarters, providing A second Deputy Commissioner capacity for more than 2000 staff and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation attended, representing 70 agencies. The position was created to help lead the consolidating the six accommodation conference explored the influences that will AFP in meeting its expanding roles and Aviation and Protection provided support sites currently occupied across Canberra. shape crime and law enforcement through responsibilities as the nation’s primary to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation This option superseded previous plans to (APEC) taskforce and NSW Police for the to the year 2020, such as ‘weak states’, law enforcement agency. Assistant relocate to Anzac Park West. The rapid APEC Leaders Meeting in Sydney to their climate change, mass migration, and the Commissioner Tony Negus was appointed expansion of the AFP’s staffing numbers core duties. Close Personal Protection growth of science and technology. Deputy Commissioner Operations, and facilitation through airports was assuming responsibility for the Border meant it had outgrown that site. The AFP Expands and International, Economic and Special provided to 20 visiting leaders. In On the budgetary front, the AFP budget Operations, International Deployment another major security operation, the In July 2007, the AFP opened the Group, and Forensic and Data Centres levelled off during 2007–08 following AFP’s ACT Policing arm also led the Australian Chemical Biological Radiological functions. six years of significant growth over which national security response for the highly Nuclear Data Centre at the Weston complex time revenue more than doubled to over successful Australian leg of the Olympic Deputy Commissioner John Lawler took on in Canberra. The centre provides technical $1.2 billion for the 2007–08 year. The Torch Relay in Canberra in April 2008. the newly formed Deputy Commissioner intelligence on the illegal use of chemical, National Security role, with responsibility for Minister for Finance and Deregulation Innovation and Renewal biological, radiological, nuclear materials, Intelligence, Counter Terrorism, Protection, approved a $43 million operating deficit for In November 2007 the AFP hosted and developing an evidence-recovery and and Aviation. In September 2007 the 2007–08 financial year and the AFP the International Policing Toward triage laboratory facility to analyse biological Assistant Commissioner Michael Phelan finished the year with a reported deficit of 2020 conference in Canberra. Senior and chemical substances. was appointed as the new Chief Police $43.5 million.

78 YEAR IN REVIEW

2008–09YEAR

In the 2008–09 annual report, relationships with international partner Commissioner Mick Keelty pointed agencies contributed to deepening levels out to Minister O’Connor that having of international cooperation and greater arrived at its 30th anniversary, much operational success across a number of had changed since the organisation’s areas including people smuggling. inception in 1979 including a raft of Commissioner Keelty said: “People new responsibilities in areas such as smuggling is an emerging problem for regional capacity building and crime governments across the region, with a prevention. growing number of people looking for refuge in South East Asia.” “These activities complement the 13 July 2008: The discovery of pseudoephedrine tablets concealed inside decorative furniture led to the arrest of three people. – Courtesy of Australian Customs and Border organisation’s core business of Protection Since September 2008, there was a surge in investigating crimes against the the number of boats carrying asylum seekers The AFP achieved a number of significant Government’s response to the Clarke Commonwealth and the national interest,” entering Australian waters and in partnership operational successes during the year, Inquiry, which was drawing to a close. Commissioner Keelty said. with Indonesian authorities, the AFP arrested including: 44 people charged with people- He said, “Our future operations will also be 18 people suspected of organising or “The breadth of activities now undertaken smuggling offences; a single operation shaped by the findings of a Federal Audit facilitating illegal boat entries into Australia. by the AFP highlights the complex stopping more than 14 tonnes of drugs of Police Capabilities, which will help to Twenty-six crew members were also charged operational environment facing police, with an estimated value of $3 billion determine where efficiencies can be made with people-smuggling offences, and more and the fact that many criminal activities reaching the streets; more than 150 within the organisation. We are looking than 800 people suspected of trying to are now transnational in nature and often people charged with downloading images forward to a period of consolidation, which reach Australia illegally were detained. difficult to prosecute. As a result we have of child sexual abuse during two high-tech will ensure the AFP is well placed to meet worked hard to build strong relationships crime operations; and nine men convicted Human trafficking also surfaced as a major any new challenges appearing on the law with our regional law enforcement partners over their plans to commit an act of concern for Australia and the surrounding enforcement horizon.” and to better integrate our domestic and terrorism on Australian soil. region. international operations. International Focus National Security remained a key driver In Australia, a woman convicted on five “Our approach is helping to create more for the AFP, but Commissioner Keelty During 2008–09, the AFP enhanced its slavery charges was sentenced to 10 years effective policing in areas such as people- realised that the focus in the coming years relationships with overseas partners like in prison. Two men were sentenced to 12 smuggling, counter-terrorism, cybercrime would be shaped by outcomes of several the INP. A number of emerging crime and 11 years in prison for slavery offences and illegal drug importation,” he said. key policy reviews including the Federal issues and the diversification of our in relation to a different matter, and another

79 YEAR IN REVIEW

2008–09

man was sentenced to five years in prison Customs identified 4.4 tonnes (almost for a range of offences including people 15 million pills) of the drug in a shipping trafficking and dealing in proceeds of crime. container. Thirty-eight people were arrested The AFP held a workshop in Cambodia and nearly 90 charges were laid. for law enforcement professionals to help Australia’s success in stopping drug prevent incidents of Child Sex Tourism. importations such as this was recognised Significantly, during 2008-09, two US 29 September 2008: Her Excellency the Governor-General Quentin Bryce attended the by the United Nations Office on Drugs and citizens and an Australian were sentenced National Police Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National Police Memorial Kings Park, Crime, which this year identified Australia to prison for committing child sex offences Canberra. – AFP Museum Collection as leading the world in seizures of MDMA in Cambodia and the Cambodian mother initiatives with allied agencies was its approved strength of 1200 personnel. – currently accounting for more than a of a 14-year-old victim was also charged. demonstrated when the INP sent its In addition to the members deployed to quarter of all global seizures. Unfortunately, Efforts to protect children from sexual Disaster Victim Identification Team to PNG, the AFP also sent members to Tonga Australia is also a major consumer of the abuse also resulted in the arrest of more Australia to help in the aftermath of (May 2008) and increased its presence in drug, with 22 per cent of people between than 150 people during the year. Several Victoria’s Black Saturday bushfires. The INP Afghanistan. 20 and 29 admitting to using ecstasy at operations led by the AFP’s High Tech members participated in all phases of the some point. These commitments stood along side Crime Operations area were the result of victim identification process during their During the year the Joint Asian Crime continued major deployments as part of combined investigations carried out by law secondment to Australia. Group, comprised of officers from a range the Regional Assistance Mission to the enforcement agencies across the world. of agencies including the AFP, ACC, Under the auspices of the Australian and Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and the Timor- Customs, and NSW Police, successfully Operation Centurion was the result of a Papua New Guinean governments, the Leste Police Development Program. referral by Croatian police via Interpol, AFP deployed officers to PNG under a dismantled a highly organised drug and led to the arrest of 138 Australians. police-to-police partnership to identify the Border Protection manufacturing syndicate. During the Another 22 Australians were arrested long-term development needs of the Royal In August 2008, Operation Inca moved investigation, $500,000 in cash was during Operation Resistance, which Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) to its resolution phase. Ultimately, this seized and the manufacture of $25 million originated with a referral from Brazilian and design a long-term development operation prevented more than 14 tonnes of methylamphetamine (ice) prevented. authorities. The operation resulted in the framework for the RPNGC across a range of drugs with an estimated value of One of the AFP’s roles is to help its law seizure of more than 15,000 videos and of areas. $3 billion from getting onto the streets. The enforcement partners in South-East Asia 500,000 images of child abuse material. The AFP continued to assist other nations investigation also resulted in the world’s investigate and dismantle clandestine drug The mutual benefits of joint-training through the activities of IDG which neared largest seizure of MDMA (ecstasy), after laboratories. A major success was the

80 YEAR IN REVIEW

2008–09

destruction of 35 tonnes of Safrole-rich obtained restraining orders for more National Security Program, a $109 million change program oil in Cambodia in June 2008. The oil is a which will significantly enhance AFP than $4 million, including $1 million in In December 2008, Prime Minister precursor chemical for the manufacture of systems and processes and provide the cash, from drug trafficking and money Kevin Rudd tabled the inaugural National MDMA. potential to improve international and laundering matters. The team also obtained Security Statement (NSS), which helped to cross-jurisdictional activities. The AFP was also involved in other major monies believed to be derived from a shape the AFP’s response towards issues drug investigations, including the seizure During 2008-09, participants from significant fraud committed in mainland including terrorism, organised crime and of 192kg of pseudoephedrine in Thailand, climate change. outside the South-East Asian region the disruption of an international drug China and transferred to Australia. attended courses at Jakarta Centre for During 2008-09, several syndicate that resulted in three Mexican Assets were also seized in Hong Kong Law Enforcement Cooperation for the first recommendations from the Clarke Inquiry nationals charged with attempting to and Vanuatu after investigations into a time, with members from police agencies and Street Review were adopted by import into Australia more than 64kg diesel fuel excise fraud worth more than in Pakistan and Lebanon taking part. the AFP to address issues in relation to More than 5,000 members of various law of cocaine, and the seizure of 46kg of $3 million. cocaine arriving in Australia from Canada. the AFP’s operational decision-making enforcement agencies have now attended The AFP continued working with the processes, joint taskforce arrangements, courses in areas such as Islamic law and Economic and Special Operations information sharing, training and ATO and other partner agencies to politics, security risk management and During 2008-09, the Economic and education. disaster victim identification. investigate taxation fraud as part of Project Special Operations function of the AFP By 30 June 2009, the AFP and the During the year, the AFP provided support investigated money laundering, identity Wickenby. After a referral from the ATO, Australian Security and Intelligence to the whole-of-government response crimes and fraud with significant success. the AFP helped to shut down a large Organisation (ASIO) had an integrated to November 2008 terrorist attacks Investigations are centred on attacking scale transnational fraud and money and coordinated training regime which in Mumbai, and also offered forensic, the financial base of transnational criminal laundering operation thought to involve included staff exchanges at an executive technical and investigative assistance to syndicates, in anticipation of an increase around $100 million. Another related level and practical guide for the conduct Pakistani authorities following a terrorist in this crime type as a result of the global investigation was estimated to involve and management of major counter- attack in Lahore in March 2009. financial crisis. terrorism operations was. The AFP also around $12 million. The resolution phase Domestically, court matters in relation to During the year, the AFP was involved appointed interview coordinators who had of these investigations involved authorities Operation Pendennis were finalised when in several investigations with its partner undertaken specific training, and were nine men were convicted on terrorism agencies. A continuing investigation into in Vanuatu and New Zealand, with the AFP responsible for supervising the preparation offences. The court found that the group a Sydney-based, Asian-organised crime providing extensive assistance to Vanuatu of interview plans, as well as coordinating was planning an explosives attack syndicate identified fraudulent activity witness and suspect interviews. Police upon request. In all, 31 people were targeting iconic mass-gathering sporting worth up to $5 million per month. charged with money laundering and fraud During this time, AFP was also in the events in Australia. A separate investigation In Queensland, the Asset Forfeiture Team offences. process of implementing the Spectrum led to the conviction of another man

81 YEAR IN REVIEW

2008–09

for compiling and publishing a terrorism Commissioner Keelty’s Departure manual on the Internet. In May 2009 Commissioner Mick Keelty The AFP’s national security role also made it public that he would be leaving encompasses the provision of a policing the AFP on 2 September 2009: presence at 11 major airports in Australia. A “My departure in September will coincide review of the Unified Policing Model (UPM) with 35 years as a police officer, and was undertaken in the latter half of 2008, I consider it an enormous privilege which resulted in the Council of Australian to have led the AFP through such a Governments re-affirming its commitment 7 September 2009: Acting Chief Justice of the Federal Court Jeffrey Spender officiates at the swearing in ceremony for Commissioner Tony Negus in the presence of Prime Minister watershed period in its history. The to the model. During 2008–09, a further Kevin Rudd. – AFP Museum Collection organisation has grown and changed 55 staff members were deployed to airports markedly since I became Commissioner serviced by the UPM. Business Outlook which arose as the result of a 2007 nine years ago, cementing its place within the international law enforcement More than 38,800 cases were reported election commitment. The audit looked at to officers working at the 11 airports, both The global financial downturn resulted community.” in the AFP looking for efficiencies in line the effectiveness of the AFP’s operating criminal and non-criminal in nature. The Commissioner Keelty ended his final with Government policy. arrangements, gaps and overlaps in AFP’s response to these matters, and our annual report to Minister O’Connor with other activities within the relevant airports capabilities and the opportunities for Commissioner Keelty said: “In 2009–10 the words: “My departure also comes as resulted in a client satisfaction rating of 89 improvement and rationalisation in the AFP will respond to a tighter fiscal the AFP celebrates its 30th anniversary, per cent. the AFP’s strategic, operational and environment through the finalisation corporate capabilities. It examines the and I remain proud of the work of our On 22 March 2009, a man was killed of the One-AFP-One-Corporate AFP’s ability to provide such capabilities members and their achievements in during an incident at Terminal 3 of Sydney project. This initiative implements the protecting the Commonwealth and over the next five years, and was Airport. As a result, the then Minister of recommendations from several reviews, Australia’s national interests.” Home Affairs Bob Debus commissioned an and will help to deliver a more efficient submitted to the Federal Government on independent review of the AFP’s response corporate capability. The project will 30 June 2009. Tony Negus, a career AFP officer and to the incident. The Wilkins Review former Deputy Commissioner, was sworn also help to refine and clarify functional The Audit was part of a five-point plan, concluded that the AFP responded in in as the sixth AFP Commissioner on control of corporate services within the which also included the establishment timely manner in accordance with existing AFP, to remove duplication of corporate 7 September 2009. standards, procedures and protocols. The of a national crime database, a federal effort. report recommended a number of actions, retention and recruitment program, and which were accepted by the AFP and fully During 2008-09, the AFP was involved boosting staff numbers by 500 members implemented by June 30, 2009. in the Federal Audit of Police Capabilities, over five years.

82 Chapter 6: Time Line of Events 1979–2009 AFP TIME LINE

1979

n ACT was renamed Special Intelligence Section. n Australian peacekeeping duties with the United Nations in Cyprus became 15 June 1979 the sole responsibility of the AFP on its n The Australian Federal Police Act 1979 formation. Twenty AFP members of the was passed and received Royal Assent. 16th Contingent were stationed there. While this legislation recognised the two distinct functions of general n The AFP’s first annual report notes policing and guarding, it asserted that that on the first day there were there would be benefits in maintaining 1979: Constable Ian James and Senior Sergeant John Streeter on the tarmac at Perth 1134 members appointed to the them in a close relationship. Airport with a DC 10 Aircraft in the background. Their uniforms show the two roles General Police component and 1443 undertaken by the AFP in many locations, one of protection (black hat) and law enforcement 11 September 1979 (white hat with chequered band). – AFP Museum Collection appointed to the Police protective service component. There were also n Sir Colin Woods, formerly Her Majesty’s 375 public service personnel. Chief Inspector of Constabulary for England and Wales, was sworn in as n Guarding duties remained the the first AFP Commissioner. responsibility of the protective service 19 October 1979 component and was a distinct entity. They had different uniforms, different n The first day of operations for the AFP. training and different rates of pay. n Drug liaison officers were attached to Australian embassies in Bangkok, Kuala n The budget for the AFP’s first year of Lumpur, Jakarta, London and Wellington. operation was $72,806,676. Plainclothes officers were also attached to Interpol in Paris and New Scotland n At the amalgamation, union Yard in London. representation of AFP employees included two police unions and six 7 November 1979 unions covering public service staff. n Staff from the Australian Customs Service Narcotics Bureau transferred n The first edition of the AFP’s corporate to the AFP. Eighty Narcotics Bureau magazine Platypus was published officers were sworn in to the AFP. barely a month after the AFP’s formation. Platypus has remained n The AFP’s first headquarters was on the third floor of the National Mutual the corporate journal since that time Building, Civic, Canberra. Other offices and the shy Australian aquatic were opened in Brisbane, Sydney, 1979: Senior Constable John Pontello and Sharon Foster checking one of the many points became the sporting and corporate Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. of concealment in a 747 airliner. –AFP Museum Collection symbol for the AFP.

84 AFP TIME LINE

1980

24 June 1980 n Family Law Court judge, Justice David Opas, was shot and killed by an unknown assailant at his Sydney home. This was the first of several attacks that led to the AFP being assigned security responsibilities for the Family Court. In July 1980 n The AFP installed its first mainframe computer purchased from the Department of Health. 22 August 1980 n The AFP Services Centre at Weston, Canberra opened. n The Australasian Police Ministers’ Council (APMC) was established to promote a coordinated national response to law enforcement issues and to maximise police resources. n Operation Global by AFP members in worth $45,000 was stolen from an 22 August 1980: The Australian Federal Police Services Centre at Weston (the Weston Adelaide led to the arrest of 17 people ACT Credit Union. Detectives later Complex) was opened by the Minister for Administrative Services John McLeay seen here for the importation of more than 40kg recovered the safe and some of the with Sir Colin Woods inspecting parade members with Peter Dawson in the background. of cannabis resin from India. money. – ACT Heritage Library; The Canberra Times Collection (both photos) 17 December 1980 n Currency Branch members in n The Turkish Consul-General, Sarik Melbourne investigated the melting Ariyak, and his bodyguard were shot to down of pre-decimal coins for their death in the street outside the Turkish silver content. The offender was Consulate in Dover Heights, Sydney. arrested and charged with melting down coins to the value of about n A safe containing cash and cheques $100,000.

85 AFP TIME LINE

1981

n Operation Diamond was a $2 million pharmacists were charged after an tax avoidance fraud uncovered in investigation of Department of Health South Australia. It had national and complaints about the improper international connections and resulted prescription of drugs. The pharmacists in three convictions. had made fraudulent claims for Commonwealth benefits. n TheAustralian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence (ABCI) was established n Intelligence developed by Thai to facilitate the exchange of criminal authorities and passed to the AFP Drug intelligence between police services. It Liaison Officer resulted in the seizure of coordinated the Criminal Intelligence 7.3kg of heroin at Sydney International Sections in each state and territory. Airport and the arrest of two Thai people. n The AFP was asked to work with the Department of Primary Industry and n A bowling ball concealing 469 grams the US Department of Agriculture to of heroin was detected at Brisbane 6 March 1981: Protective Service officers on parade as part of the Graduation Ceremony investigate allegations of substitution of Airport. The offender was sentenced to held at the Weston College. Australian export quality meat. A three- 12 years in prison. year task force investigation, Operation – ACT Heritage Library; The Canberra Times Collection Orion, and the Royal Commission into the Australian Meat Industry followed. premium buds of seedless marijuana n An AFP investigation in Sydney ended The ramifications of the investigation skewered on stems. with 14 arrests for conspiracy offences affected the entire Australian beef involving $121,000 in payments production industry, which was n An investigation was made into large- made by illegal Chinese immigrants generating national export earnings of scale, highly organised pillage and theft attempting to obtain permanent around $1 billion per year at the time. of air cargo consignments. The thefts residence in Australia. n A 12-month joint task force operation were valued at about $222,000 and investigations resulted in 15 arrests. n In Melbourne, an investigation resulted in Melbourne resulted in a major drug in four arrests for the attempted trafficking ring being exposed and n The Currency Branch located a printing importation of cannabis oil concealed in participants each receiving 25 year press in Sydney that had been used to a Mercedes Benz car. prison sentences. make counterfeit US $100 and $20 n bank notes. The printer was arrested The guarding of Government House, The n The AFP and NSW Police made three Lodge and Parliament House became and charged with counterfeiting arrests relating to the importation of the responsibility of the protective US$1.5 million. Two other people were 400kg of Thai sticks, a form of cannabis service component of the AFP. from Thailand popular during the late arrested and notes were found in Hong ’60s and early ’70s consisting of Kong and Manila. n In Queensland, a doctor and 43

86 AFP TIME LINE

1982

17 January 1982 the investigations. An investigation was also conducted at the Australian n Operation Toggle was a three-year drug Embassy in Tehran. operation, which progressively netted 100kg of heroin imported by one Thai 17 December 1982 syndicate. Most of the heroin came into n Random breath testing was introduced Australia through Sydney. in the ACT. In May 1982 n More than 27kg of heroin was seized n The Los Angeles liaison post opened. in a joint AFP–Customs investigation. The heroin was hidden in dozens of n Intelligence exchanged with Malaysian Chinese paper scrolls that were left in authorities led to the arrest of an suitcases at Brisbane Airport. Australian man in Penang who had 1.5kg of heroin in his possession. Several n Operation Scroll involved an Malaysian people were identified as investigation into breaches of the being the source of the heroin supply to Foreign Exchange Regulations and Australia and were subsequently arrested. the Income Tax Assessment Act committed by the Southern Cross 31 August 1982 October 1982: miners stormed the doors of Kings Hall Parliament House in a group of companies, which had offices n Sir Colin Woods retired as AFP wild demonstration on 26 October 1982. – Canberra Times photo in every Australian state, as well as Commissioner, after three years service, branches in NZ, USA and the UK. The AFP conducted lengthy background and returned to England. Deputy checks and financial analysis. Commissioner John Johnson acted as Also in October Also in November 1982 Commissioner until 15 February 1983. n The AFP’s minister was Kim Beazley, n n The Wellington NZ liaison post opened. As a result of an operation originating Special Minister of State. 26 October 1982 in South America, 7kg of cocaine was 12 December 1982 n Wollongong miners stormed the doors seized in Sydney. n A bomb was detonated near the of Kings Hall, Parliament House in Canberra, during a wild demonstration. 1 November 1982 Consulate General of Israel at Westfield Towers, Street, Sydney. n Intelligence gathered by the AFP in n Operation Rock was a joint AFP– n Operation Buttress (a drug inquiry) Australia and Thailand led to the arrest Victoria Police investigation, which of a Thai drug trafficker in possession and Operation Breaker (breaches dismantled a large importing ring and of 750 grams of heroin. This operation of Foreign Exchange Regulations) terminated a major supply source of seized 330kg of cannabis and resulted took members of National Criminal heroin to Australia and the USA. in six convictions. Investigation Branch overseas to pursue

87 AFP TIME LINE

1983

In January 1983 n The NCIB cooperated with the Queensland Police in Operation n The Medifraud Squad was established Boundary. in which an inmate of with four members to investigate cases Townsville Gaol was charged with referred by the Health Commission. several extortion offences. 1 February 1983 n The Hong Kong and Washington liaison n Mohamed Ali Beydoun was arrested posts opened. and charged with bombing the Hakoah Weston College had several areas set up for scenario training. In this mock post office Club in Sydney. setting two Probationary Constables remove a troublesome trespasser played by Senior Constable Paul Speirs. – Canberra Times Photo 16 February 1983 n Major General Ronald Grey became the AFP’s second Commissioner. 23 June 1983 n Twenty-four AFP members began investigating a new style of tax evasion dubbed the bottom-of-the-harbour’ scheme. n AFP and Queensland Police investigated a conspiracy to steal $1 million in Reserve Bank currency being transported by . Also in June 1983 n Intelligence obtained from Australian sources assisted Thai authorities in confiscating 988kg of Thai sticks. 16 November 1983 n A Macgregor (ACT) family was killed in a murder–suicide. After murdering his 14 April 1983: A section of the AFP Recruit Graduation Parade held at the AFP Training three sons, the father took his own life. Centre at Weston. – Canberra Times Photo

88 AFP TIME LINE

1984

In March 1984 The offenders received lengthy prison sentences. n Two adults and two children were murdered in their Richardson home n The AFP in Adelaide investigated (ACT). A Queanbeyan man was alleged ‘ghosting’ on the payroll of a arrested for the murders. Following the nursing home involving approximately arrest, the bodies of two other family $500,000 in fraudulent claims on the Department of Community Services. members were exhumed. The two girls March 1984: the shotgun murder of four members of a family, which had lost two sisters had apparently died in a car accident in a 1981 car crash and fire, led to the exhumation of the sister’s bodies for further n Eight investigations were made into and fire in 1981 but forensic tests examination. Forensic investigation led to the finding that the sisters were also murdered by ‘bottom-of-the-harbour’ tax avoidance determined that the sisters had been the same man arrested for the 1984 murders. – AFP Museum Collection schemes revealing unpaid tax liabilities murdered prior to the accident, probably totalling $212.25 million. 24 May 1984 by the same man. In September 1984 n 20th Anniversary of AUSTCIVPOL n n NCIB members investigated the leaking The Manila liaison post opened. contingents in Cyprus. of classified information via ‘the Age 20 October 1984 Tapes’. 5 July 1984 n Theprotective service function of the 1 April 1984 n Mrs Pearl Watson, the wife of Family AFP was taken over by the newly Court judge Justice Ray Watson, formed Australian Protective Service n The role of coordinating Australia’s opened the front door to her residence (APS) created by Royal Assent in the coastal surveillance became an triggering an explosion which killed her AFP (Amendment) Act 1984. AFP responsibility. Four years later and demolished the front of the house. the function was transferred to the n Commissioner Ron Grey established Australian Customs Service. Also in July 1984 the Joint Management Review which recognised that traditional recruitment 1 May 1984 n Operation Lavender was a coordinated and personnel processes had to change investigation across all AFP regions. It in order for the AFP to play a unique role n TheNational Crime Authority (NCA) culminated in August 1985 in the arrest in Australian law enforcement. was formed in response to widespread of 20 offenders and the dismantling community and parliamentary concern n The AFP arrested four members from of a major criminal enterprise involved about increasing organised criminal the one family for a $300,000 fraud in drug trafficking. Almost 1 tonne of activity within Australia. The NCA and committed against the Department cannabis resin was found at Malabar AFP became strategic law-enforcement of Social Security (DSS). The family Rubbish Tip in Sydney and $226,000 partners. members used false driving licences worth of vessels and motor vehicles and and vehicle registration papers to $66,000 in cash were seized. support claims in fictitious names.

89 AFP TIME LINE

1985

21 January 1985 4–6 October 1985 n A man took over a gun shop in Civic n Canberra hosted the fourth World Cup in (ACT) and fired more than 300 shots athletics. ACT Region provided security into the street. He surrendered to police, for the international event held at the without injuring anyone. Bruce Stadium. In April 1985 n An AFP investigation resulted in 750kg 21 January 1985: a disturbed man took over a Civic gun shop and fired more than 300 shots of cannabis resin being seized and n The body of a woman was found in into the street. – Canberra Times photo four arrests. This operation followed the Lake Burley Griffin weighed down with receipt of information from the US Drug concrete blocks. A man was charged Enforcement Administration. with her murder. n Heroin weighing 9.3kg was found In May 1985 concealed inside plastic dinner plates in n The Singapore liaison post opened. the baggage of two Hong Kong airline passengers. 15 July 1985 n A group of Sydney-based Turkish n Operation Postscript was an AFP–NSW nationals recruited a senior Solomon Police investigation into a conspiracy to Islands Customs officer as a drug courier. import 6kg of heroin. Charges were laid About 3.6kg of heroin was purchased against six people. in Penang and mailed to the Solomon n The first Neighbourhood Watch Program Islands where it was re-packed by the was introduced by ACT Community Customs officer and carried to Sydney via Policing. Port Moresby and Cairns. After delivery to Brighton-Le-Sands from Cairns, two In July 1985 Sydney men and the senior Solomon Islands Customs officer were arrested. n A man attempted to hijack a helicopter to take him and his two children from n The most significant Joint Task Force Brisbane Airport to Japan. A joint AFP– (JTF) operation of the year resulted in Queensland Police team of negotiators six arrests. Those arrested were charged persuaded the man to surrender after with conspiracy to import 11kg of heroin. he stood his son on top of a fuel tanker, July 1985: The AFP and Queensland Police negotiators persuaded the 42-year-old man to The JTF also successfully extradited a key spread aviation fuel over a wide area and surrender after he had stood his son on top of a fuel tanker, spread aviation fuel over a wide figure of the ‘Mr Asia’ syndicate from the threatened to set fire to it. area and threatened to set fire to it. – AFP Museum Collection USA.

90 AFP TIME LINE

1986

12 February 1986 n The APS relinquished its guarding duties at Australian Missions overseas. n A Rivett (ACT) family of four became the victims of a shooting sparked by a n A major operation in Perth led to broken de facto relationship. A 16-year- the seizure of more than 2 tonnes of old boy survived, but was seriously cannabis and a number of arrests. AFP wounded. The attacker committed officers seized five yachts, two smaller suicide. May 1986: Senior Constable Brian Bock hands over guard duties at Government House craft, and $260,000 in cash. to Senior Sergeant Bill Brown of the Australian Protective Service. Also on duty were Cathy n The London liaison post opened. Eliason, Richard Roberts, Ross Daniel and Boris Branovsky. – Canberra Times photo In February 1986 n Operation Neon was an investigation into the importation of approximately 0.6kg of heroin and resulted in a 16-year sentence for a 48-year-old restaurateur. In August 1986 n The Honolulu liaison post opened. n The first APS dog handlers’ course was held at the Salisbury Kennels, South Australia. 26 November 1986 n Pope John Paul II arrived in Australia for a five-day tour. For the first time, a highly-trained composite unit took over close protection of the Pope from the moment he arrived in Australia. The unit comprised three members from the AFP Protection Division and three members from each of the other Territory and State police forces: a total of 24 officers provided the Pope with April 1986: Prime Minister took time out from talks with Greek Prime Minister 24-hour protection. Papandreou to call in on the AFP’s Cyprus contingent. – AFP Museum Collection

91 AFP TIME LINE

1987

16 February 1987 n The Proceeds of Crime Act 1987 came into force and provides for the n Senator Michael Tate was appointed confiscation and forfeiture of property Special Minister of State responsible for of defendants charged with serious the AFP. offences. Property that remains 13 March 1987 confiscated six months after conviction is forfeited automatically to the n The Australian Protective Service Act Commonwealth. The Act also provided 1987 received Royal Assent. 1987: During the year areas of the AFP dispersed throughout Canberra were brought for the Commonwealth to share the together in the one building at 68 Northbourne Avenue. – AFP Museum Collection proceeds of crime with an Australian Also in March 1987 State or Territory if it was recovered n A sophisticated investigation requiring with their assistance. Australia-wide and international input n A large consignment of cannabis resulted in five people being charged was imported by boat to Byron Bay. with importing 5kg of high quality AFP officers seized 1.3 tonnes of heroin from Pakistan concealed inside compressed cannabis heads, a fishing soccer balls. trawler and approximately $54,000 in cash, and made two arrests. n The Jakarta liaison post closed. n The Career Structure Review (CSR) 3 April 1987 began. It compressed the rank n Personnel began to move into AFP structure from 11 to 5 levels. The CSR ‘interim’ headquarters building at marked the disappearance of grading 68 Northbourne Avenue Canberra. within the ranks of Constable and This building remained the AFP Sergeant, and the removal of the rank Headquarters until 2010. of Inspector. It also allowed for the decentralisation of the decision-making n The APS was asked to provide escorts process and enabled personnel to work for several touring exhibitions. This part time. marked the beginning of its escort guard duties. 22 April 1987 n Commissioner Grey became the first Australian Police Commissioner to visit April 1987: Commissioner Ron Grey was the first Australian Police Commissioner invited to the People’s Republic of China. visit the People’s Republic of China – AFP Museum Collection

92 In August 1988 n After four years in AFP control, AFP TIME LINE Australia’s Coastwatch was transferred to Customs. 8 November 1988 1988 n A Sydney-based yacht, Patanela, disappeared in the early hours, having radioed that it was approaching Sydney Heads. The disappearance sparked a three-year investigation, Operation Lilac, but the disappearance remains unexplained. A brief of evidence was submitted to the NSW Coroner and the 14 January 1988 inquest concluded that the vessel sank n Southern Region moved into its new and its crew perished. headquarters in La Trobe St, Melbourne. 7 December 1988 16 February 1988 n Customs officers inspected a crate n Peter McAulay was appointed the AFP’s of ping pong balls when it arrived at Melbourne from Bolivia. They found third Commissioner after having been 10 April 1988: The burned-out shell of a South African diplomat’s car at his residence in 4.5kg of cocaine hidden inside. AFP Commissioner of the Northern Territory Canberra. – AFP Museum Collection officers monitored the crate when it Police, Fire and Emergency Services. was rail-freighted to Sydney and later n Amendments to the Australian Capital 9 May 1988 21 June 1988 arrested three men. The shipment’s Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 n More than 500 AFP officers were n Operation Coat, a joint AFP, Victoria estimated value was $2.7 million. and the AFP Act 1979 allowed for on duty for the opening of the new Police and Customs operation began Also in December 1988 the AFP to continue providing police Parliament House. with a series of raids in Melbourne, services to the ACT community. n Canberra’s first shopfront police station which dismantled a major Australian- 30 May 1988 opened in in the heart of based drug syndicate. Seventeen 10 April 1988 the city’s shopping precinct. n Two people were arrested in Sydney offenders were brought before the n In Canberra, a South African diplomat’s following the seizure of a shipment of courts. n Information was received from the car was destroyed by fire while parked at illegal arms en route from Fiji. Fourteen AFP liaison officer in Thailand about his residence. boxes of arms consisted of automatic n Fixed Term Appointments were a pending importation of heroin into introduced to the AFP and replaced the n The National Witness Protection Service weapons, rocket launchers and land Australia. The operation in Sydney and VIP Protection schemes were mines. prevailing concept of life tenure. resulted in three arrests and 12kg of introduced. n The AFP’s Sexual Assault Unit was n TheUnified Workforce Agreement heroin being seized. n Kathy Burdett was the first female AFP started in a purpose-built suite of rooms allowed all staff (sworn and unsworn) to n A Commonwealth Bank officer in Canberra. officer to serve on a peacekeeping be employed under the same legislation generated 23 loans using fictitious mission. She went to Cyprus with the 7 June 1988 and to be represented by one union. names and personal details. He had issued and negotiated fraudulent bank 28th Contingent and stayed on with the 25 June 1988 29th. n AFP, Customs and NSW Police seized cheques amounting to $1,135,500. 3.2 tonnes of cannabis at Broken Bay n In Melbourne, AFP and Customs officers n Four people were arrested for conspiracy 6 May 1988 in Sydney. A two-year manhunt led to began arrests in relation to 2.3kg of the extradition of the principal from to defraud the Commonwealth in a n A man attempted a fraud on a building heroin found in luggage. Three men San Francisco. He was found guilty and sales tax avoidance and minimisation society in Civic on 6 May 1988. After were convicted, with one of them sentenced to 14 years in prison. scheme. The operation spanned South threatening police with a pistol, he was receiving Australia’s first life sentence for Australia, NSW and Queensland and shot dead. n The Nicosia liaison post opened. a drug importation. was valued at $25 million.

93 Also in January 1989 n Two AFP officers were attached to the AFP TIME LINE United Nations Border Relief Operation in Aranyaprathet in north-eastern Thailand, to assist the UN and the Thai Government improve the security and 1989 protection of some 300,000 displaced Cambodians located in camps along the Thai-Cambodian border. n Self government was brought in for the ACT. The role of the AFP as the Territory’s police organisation was retained. 10 January 1989 n The discovery of 2.4 tonnes of cannabis in a container at Swanson Dock in n Assistant Commissioner Colin Melbourne, led to a large-scale and Winchester was killed by two .22 complex investigation involving the AFP, calibre bullets as he pulled up in his Customs, UK Police, UK Customs and car in the driveway next to his Deakin NZ Police. The cannabis was shipped home. The investigation to find the killer to the UK as a controlled operation and was code-named Operation Peat. resulted in three arrests. 13 January 1989 March 1989: A Jaguar motor car was imported into Sydney. Ecstasy weighing 32kg was In February 1989 n found hidden in the door sills. – AFP Museum Collection More than 2000 family members, n The Buenos Aires liaison post opened friends and colleagues attended the funeral of Assistant Commissioner n Operation Spiral was a Northern Region Colin Winchester held at St investigation into two importations of Christopher’s Cathedral at Manuka. 3000 forged NSW birth certificates and extracts and drivers’ licences brought n The AFP was involved in the UN from the Philippines to Brisbane. The mission to Namibia. investigation took place in South 26 January 1989 Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Philippines n A $1.4 million nursing home fraud was involving criminal elements in the shut down when AFP officers arrested Philippines, members of Australian the proprietor of a Melbourne-based Painters and Dockers Union, the Hutt nursing home business. He had been River Province and motorcycle gang making fraudulent claims against members. The two principals were Commonwealth aged-care programs convicted of the offences in June 1991 and pocketing the salaries of non- after a three-week trial involving existent staff for his chain of five nursing 40 witnesses. homes. In March 1989 n The AFP Adjustment Scheme (AFPAS) n A Jaguar motor car was imported into was a payment to all members and Sydney. Ecstasy weighing 32kg was staff for being appointed on a fixed found hidden in the door sills. Three term basis. It was to be a termination arrests were made. payment of 12.5 per cent of March 1989: Four people were arrested over the importation of 10 tonnes of cannabis accumulated salary over the period of resin. The investigation eventually led to the discovery of $5.5 million in a garage in the n The 30th contingent of AFP members the fixed term appointment. Sydney suburb of Coogee . – AFP Museum Collection to Cyprus celebrated the 25th

94 AFP TIME LINE

1989

Anniversary of Australia’s involvement in the Australian Tax Office from seizing peacekeeping. them. n Four people were arrested over the n As a result of a joint operation between importation of 10 tonnes of cannabis the Royal Hong Kong Police and the resin. The investigation eventually led to AFP, approximately 44.3kg of heroin the discovery of $5.5 million in a garage was seized in Hong Kong. Simultaneous in the Sydney suburb of Coogee along 11 May 1989: Operation Soy involved 50kg of heroin being seized in Sydney with nine raids in Hong Kong and Australia led with other assets believed to be the illicit people arrested in a joint operation between the AFP and the Royal Hong Kong Police. to the arrest of 14 people involved in proceeds of criminal activity. – AFP Museum Collection the conspiracy to import heroin and $260,000 was seized. 5 May 1989 In December 1989 n ACT Accident Investigation Squad Day. St Michael is the Patron Saint of provide feedback for advancement and celebrated it 25th Anniversary. It began police. rewards for excellence. n In a joint operation, AFP and NCA operation in 1964 in a small room in the officers seized $5.45 million in cash Jolimont Buildings, the old ACT Police Also in September 1989 6 November 1989 along with 7 ounces of gold and 4kg of Headquarters on Northbourne Avenue. n A joint AFP–Thai Police operation resulted n The 18th Conference of the South cannabis. 11 May 1989 in the seizure of 50kg of heroin, 182kg Pacific Chiefs of Police met in Canberra. n An income tax avoidance scheme was of opium and the arrests of 16 traffickers Delegates came from American Samoa, investigated in Adelaide. It involved the n Operation Soy involved 50kg of heroin in Phuket. Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New giving of redeemable preference shares being seized in Sydney with nine people Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern arrested in a joint operation between the 19 October 1989 to a hospital charity to the value of Mariana Islands, Papua New Guinea, $4.5 million. Two people were charged AFP and the Royal Hong Kong Police. n The APS National Training Centre was Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Western and later found guilty. The drugs were concealed in insulation opened at Kingston by the Minister for Samoa with observers from the South cavities in a commercial freezer and hot Administrative Services, Stewart West. Pacific Chiefs of Police Secretariat and n A man was arrested in the US and water system. extradited to Australia, and a second was 30 October 1989 the FBI. 25 August 1989 summonsed in relation to a conspiracy n The inaugural AFP Women’s Forum held Also in November 1989 to defraud the Commonwealth of n The first edition ofAFP News was in Canberra to discuss part-time work, n The remains of a woman, missing for 13 $2.3 million in sales tax. The conspiracy published, initially to provide up-to-date job sharing and 24-hour crèches for shift- years, were found when a motor vehicle involved the production of documents information on the introduction of the workers’ children. was dragged from Canberra’s Lake Burley showing exemption from sales tax Unified Workforce. payments for the wholesale purchase Also in October 1989 Griffin. of liquor for transport interstate. 29 September 1989 n The AFP Performance Management n Operation Midas investigated a tax Investigations revealed that the liquor n St Michael’s Day was chosen to observe Program (PMP) was initiated to plan and evasion scheme involving the transfer of was not sent interstate but was sold the first National Police Remembrance review the work of AFP personnel, and to funds out of Australia in order to prevent through local outlets.

95 AFP TIME LINE

1990

1 January 1990 he had been responsible for smuggling at least 16kg of heroin into Australia n Smoking was banned in all AFP work over a four-year period. The man was areas. convicted on all charges on October n Implementation of the legislation to 21, 1993 and was sentenced to 22 provide a Unified Workforce began. Its years in prison. aim was to establish a single unified 21 April 1990 award covering all members and 22 July 1990: an unclaimed bag noticed by a Customs officer at Perth airport led the AFP staff members, providing a common to arrest a man who had misplaced the bag containing 4.547kg of heroin. n A man was arrested at Darwin airport classification system. – AFP Museum Collection after he attempted to import 30.9kg of heroin concealed in condoms n The APS introduced an explosive- suspended in an aluminium flask of detection dog program to assist in airport were arrested and $180,000 in assets three men arrested after an Australian vodka. He was sentenced to five years security. seized. computer hacker was detected by in prison. US authorities. Operation Dabble 13 January 1990 n An Associate Diploma of Applied 12 May 1990 was a year-long investigation into n An AFP Police Operations Training Science (Forensic Investigation) was launched in collaboration with the computer hacking offences committed n Constable David Hanswyk, an ACT Adviser/Instructor was sent to Vanuatu by hackers known only as Phoenix, Region motorcyclist, died when his as part of Australia’s aid program. Canberra Institute of Technology. This was the first Australian tertiary Electron and Nom. The three men vehicle collided with a car in the 13 January 1990 education program for field forensic actively attacked commercial, military Canberra suburb of Kambah. He was personnel. and educational networks in the US. returning home from duty. n The Chiang Mai liaison post opened. Penetration of National Space and n As part of the change process, AFP 1 July 1990 In February 1990 Aeronautics Administration (NASA) Internal Security and Audit was computer records by Phoenix caused n The ACT Government took over n Cocaine weighing 28kg was found in created to minimise the risk of security a 24-hour shutdown. The three men responsibility for the ACT’s policing the base of a wooden crate containing breaches and to investigate any were convicted under newly enacted and court system from the Federal car parts imported from Panama. The allegation of corruption. Commonwealth computer crime Government. The AFP entered into cocaine was secreted in the hollow legislation. 4 March 1990 an arrangement to provide ACT interiors of 10 of the crate’s 12 struts. Community Policing services. 12 April 1990 Two people were charged. n Michael Duffy was appointed Attorney- 1 July 1990 General in a reshuffle of federal n n The Rome liaison post opened. Operation Dogwood was an government portfolios. investigation into a Sydney-based n The responsibility for security at n Operation Whaler resulted in the professional drug smuggler who was 2 April 1990 Sydney Airport was transferred to the seizure of 997kg of compressed arrested in Sydney after a lengthy APS. Previous hand overs had already cannabis as it was being smuggled n An early morning raid in Melbourne career. Initially arrested for a 2kg heroin taken place in Perth on 20 February, ashore on a Perth beach. Seven people concerning Operation Dabble saw import, AFP investigations revealed that Adelaide on 13 March, Hobart on 27

96 AFP TIME LINE

1990

March, Melbourne on 10 April, Darwin n The AFP and NCA conducted a joint on 24 April, Townsville on 8 May, operation into a conspiracy to import Brisbane on 22 May and Coolangatta 10 tonnes of cannabis resin and the on 5 June. remained subsequent laundering of $77 million. the responsibility of the AFP. The operation began against four of the principal conspirators. The head 22 July 1990 of the conspiracy had assets worth n A Customs officer called the AFP In December 1990: a 27-year-old Canberra man was charged with cultivating cannabis and approximately $47.5 million seized, when he noticed a bag on the Perth opium, following the seizure of 85 cannabis plants and 133 opium plants. Police had not and $1.8 million was forfeited to international arrivals carousel had not previously encountered opium being grown in the ACT. – AFP Museum Collection the ATO. The other three principals forfeited assets worth $3.5 million. been collected. Examination of the bag found 4.547kg of heroin inside. n An oil spill 50m wide and 100km In October 1990 Meanwhile, a man arriving in Vienna plants. Police had not previously in length was detected off the coast complained that his bag had gone n An AFP, and British encountered opium being grown in of Victoria, resulting in the death astray. Arrangements were made to Aerospace investigation took place. the ACT. of penguins and other marine life. forward the bag to Vienna and the Two Australians and six British n Information from Interpol identified the It was alleged that an oil tanker 28-year-old Malaysian man and his nationals were arrested in the UK for recruitment of Hungarian nationals as was responsible for the pollution. An oil company was charged with accomplice were arrested. their part in a conspiracy to defraud drug couriers. AFP investigations led discharging oil into the sea and the British Aerospace of $91 million by to the arrest of seven Hungarians. In Also in July 1990 using computer technology. ship’s captain was charged with failing their possession were letters outlining to report the incident immediately. n Operation Teacup resulted in 22 November 1990 details of the importation and the 10 arrests for offences ranging payment they would receive. The n Fixed-term appointments were from conspiring to import information obtained was forwarded approximately 40kg of heroin, introduced to the AFP for unsworn members. to Bangkok and resulted in a 5.5kg bribing Commonwealth officers heroin seizure and the arrest of two and conspiring to defeat a law of n The first Bomb Appraisal Officers’ Thai nationals and one Polish national. the Commonwealth (Marriages of Course was conducted to train APS Convenience). officers in bomb appraisal functions n A man was charged with defrauding the Department of Defence of In September 1990 for duty at airports and other facilities. approximately $700,000 through n Operation Tapir involved an In December 1990 a scheme in which he used a investigation into a complex series of n A 27-year-old Canberra man was departmental employee and a bank post office break-ins which involved charged with cultivating cannabis manager to process false invoices. a $280,000 fraud related to postal and opium, following the seizure of Assets in excess of $300,000 were orders. 85 cannabis plants and 133 opium located.

97 AFP TIME LINE

1991

In January 1991 In April 1991 n The AFP arrested three men in n Nine people were arrested in Victoria connection with the discovery of 51kg in connection with the importation of cannabis concealed in drums of of 227kg of cannabis resin hidden in automotive body sealant at Fremantle. an industrial metal-cutting machine imported from Amsterdam. 25 February 1991 17 May 1991 n Canberra hosted the 11th Asian n Operation Big Boy, a joint Queensland Regional Conference of Interpol. Police–Criminal Justice Commission– Also in February 1991 Customs and AFP operation on the Gold Coast resulted in more than 30 n More than 20,000 garments were arrests and 100 charges being made confiscated in Sydney under the for a number of Federal and State drug Trademarks Act. Two Chinese men smuggling offences. were charged with a number of also in May 1991 copyright infringements. n Western Region moved to the former n The APS developed its alarm Bond Gold Australia building in Perth. monitoring stations in Canberra and Melbourne. In June 1991 18 March 1991 n The Queen approved the Police Overseas Service Medal (POSM). It is n Eastern Region’s Goulburn St awarded to recognise the contribution headquarters opened in Sydney. of members of Australian police services who serve with international Also in March 1991 peacekeeping forces. n A Tuggeranong-based bike patrol was In July 1991 introduced in the ACT. n AFP Deputy Commissioner John n A Californian man was arrested at Johnson was appointed Commissioner Melbourne airport with 2.7kg of of Tasmania Police. cocaine hidden inside a corset he was November 1991: the Australian International Defence Equipment Exhibition (AIDEX) 9 September 1991 wearing. He was sentenced to five attracted a large number of demonstrators and required the temporary reassignment of years in prison. many Canberra-based staff to maintain public order. – AFP Museum Collection n Three Sydney men were charged

98 AFP TIME LINE

1991

with possession of heroin valued at The protest resulted in the arrest of 234 crime group illegally sending prostitutes $1.5 million which they had disguised protesters and injuries to 40 police. to Australia. The investigation led to the as black olives and sent through the arrest of four principals of the syndicate post. In December 1991 and a number of prostitutes in Sydney. Charges were brought for falsifying Also in September 1991 n The AFP laid its first charges under the Great Barrier Reef Amendment Act travel documents, non-disclosure n Counterfeit $US100 notes with a face when a Korean vessel travelled through of income, money laundering and value of approximately $1.2 million the reef without a licensed pilot. contravention of visa conditions. were seized from a printing shop in n Operation Geronimo was an n Investigations into an Australian Sydney. A printing press and plates for organised crime group with the production of counterfeit $US100 investigation into a tax fraud after a referral from ATO regarding a group international criminal connections and $50 notes, birth certificates and resulted in 18 arrests and drug bank cheques were also found. of companies operated by members of one family. It established that the seizures. Cannabis weighing In October 1991 conspiracy amounted to approximately 4 tonnes was confiscated in Western $130 million. 15 search warrants were Australia, Queensland and Victoria. n Operation Bud was an investigation executed on the family’s companies The investigations also led to the into the theft of fossils from remote and associated premises. uncovering of an international sites in South Australia and Western money laundering scheme involving Australia. It ended in April 1997 when n An investigation began into an alleged $US25 million. three men were found guilty of charges international telephone fraud operation, connected to the illegal export of fossils costing the Commonwealth in excess by the Perth District Court. This was of $400,000. The investigation the first investigation made by the AFP spanned three States and a man was under the Movable Cultural Heritage charged and imprisoned for eight years. Act 1986. The investigation led to the The man was the Australian component return of fossils from Germany and of an operation controlled from Japan. They included opalised Permian Lebanon. He operated an international Crinoid fossils, fossilised , a to provide cheap calls Cyclomedusa (an ancient between the Middle East, Australia and 600 million years old) and opalised elsewhere. bivalve and gastropod slabs. n The refurbishment of the Forensic In November 1991 Services Division at Weston was completed. n ACT Region members policed violent demonstrations against a week-long n Operation Paper Tiger identified a defence systems exposition, AIDEX. major South-East Asian organised

99 n Operation Bionic was an investigation into tax evasion by the owners of a concreting business who received cash AFP TIME LINE payments for construction work and for concrete deliveries at weekends. The total amount of the fraud was $480,000. 1992 15 March 1992 n Operation Flute began when the AFP received information which eventually uncovered a scheme to import into Australia 4 tonnes of hashish concealed in a giant turf roller. The roller was seized in Sydney when it arrived from Tonga on 10 January 1992 20 March. A 53-year-old New Zealander received a 10-year sentence in the n A memorial window was dedicated Sydney District Court. to the memory of Colin Winchester at St Peter Chanel’s Church in Yarralumla, 20 April 1992 ACT. n More than 3kg of heroin was seized 15 January 1992 after a security guard became suspicious 18 May 1992: In Canberra, Senator Michael Tate farewells the members of the AFP’s first about three men at a wharf in Dampier, n Federal Police in Hobart used a Hobart contingent to Cambodia, shaking hands with Superintendent Bill Kirk. WA. Nine blocks of heroin, each about Marine Board pilot launch to remove – Canberra Times Photo the size of a video cassette, had been two stowaways found on board the smuggled off an iron ore carrier, intended L’Astrolabe, a French ship bound for for the Sydney drug market. Dumont D’Urville in French Antarctica. and Brisbane in connection with the n The National Institute of Forensic Science 18 May 1992 The stowaways were protesting against importation of drugs. (NIFS) commenced operations. One of its the construction of an airstrip in the roles was to develop national standards n A contingent of 10 AFP officers arrived 7 February 1992 French territory that they believed would of quality control and the accreditation of in Cambodia as part of the 3600 strong damage the habitats of native birds. They n The AFP launch, Colin Woods, was used forensic laboratories in Australia. United Nations Transitional Authority were placed on good behaviour bonds to rescue a lone yachtsman off Jervis in Cambodia (UNTAC), established to on their return to Hobart. n Forged Australian Custom Service Bay. The two-man crew searched for over supervise the country’s first democratic stamps had been used since January elections. The AFP’s area of responsibility Also in January 1992 five hours before they located him and 1990 to evade paying Customs import was centred on the village of Thmar Puok attached a tow line to bring the yacht to n An AFP investigation started in duty of $4.25 million. Operation Isobar in the country’s north-west. shore. conjunction with the Queensland was an investigation into the activities In July 1992 Criminal Justice Commission into the 24 February 1992 of a number of importers, each using importation and trafficking of heroin. The different names, who were found to have n The alleged criminal behind Operation n operation ended in September 1992 The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh imported undetermined quantities of Chair was jailed for his part in conspiring resulting in 21 arrests. visited Canberra. Their visit triggered high goods, mainly leather shoes. Four people to import 3 tonnes of cannabis resin from security and constant uniformed and were charged and sentenced. Thailand on board the yacht,Jalina. The 6 February 1992 plainclothes police presence. 4 March 1992 Supreme Court ruled that he should also n More than 100 officers from the AFP, Also in February 1992 forfeit his Rolls Royce, deer farm, other Customs, Queensland and NSW Police n A mother in south Queensland was properties and $30,000 cash. seized 2 tonnes of cannabis imported n The largest street seizure of heroin in re-united with her three children. Their 27 August 1992 on the vessel Xing Hai Hei from Thailand Australia to date was made when a 22kg father had failed to return the children in a raid on a property west of Casino. haul of the drug was seized in Sydney. after a contact visit with him. The father n AFP officers arrested two suspects Fourteen people were arrested in Four men were arrested and assets of gave himself up to Federal Police in in Sydney after weeks of intelligence Sydney, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast about $17 million were seized. Toowoomba on 16 March. gathering and surveillance work. A

100 11.5kg of cocaine. Two arrests were made, one in Melbourne and one in Perth. AFP TIME LINE n The ACT Region’s Armed Robbery Task force was formed to examine unsolved hold-ups. 1992 n Information led to the seizure at Melbourne Airport of 16.9kg of high- grade heroin concealed in an industrial metal-forming machine. The machine had been imported from Malaysia and a controlled delivery resulted in the arrest of two people and the extradition of a third person from Sydney. search of their rental unit and garage revealed 98kg of cocaine with a street n US President George Bush (senior) value of $65 million. visited Canberra. also in August 1992 n A Commonwealth Bank supervisor was charged and convicted of n In three separate investigations, misappropriating almost $1 million. between August 1992 and March She was sentenced to 7 years in prison 1993, the AFP arrested 10 people and 1992 Presidential visit: President of the Untied States of America, George Bush and US First and was ordered to repay $655,000. seized approximately 272kg of cocaine Lady, Barbara Bush with Australian War Memorial officials with Sergeant Kathy Mowle at left The fraud involved the use of deceased and $165,000 in cash. All three and Sergeant Tony Mann and Superintendent Laurie Pyne at right. – AFP Museum Collection deposit accounts, pensioner passbook seizures were believed to be part of the accounts and term deposit accounts. same importation. n A Holden Commodore Special patrol In December 1992 n The first annual trolley push around 10 September 1992 car was sent to Tokyo to participate in Belconnen Mall, Canberra in ‘Cops n the Japan External Trade Organisation The Jakarta liaison post re-opened. Collecting for Needy Kids’ collected n A yacht, Santa Barbara, sailed from the as the Australian police representative. n cash and toys to distribute to various Cocos Islands and moored off the coast The Australian Passports Office became Other police cars were sent from , aware that NSW birth certificates were children’s charities. of Port Gregory, about 600km north of Germany, Italy, Sweden, the UK and the being sold to immigrants as supporting Perth, WA. Cannabis weighing 3 tonnes n Eight partners of a South Australian law USA. The Holden is now part of the AFP documents for false applications for and with a street value of $42 million, firm were investigated for allegations Museum’s Collection. Australian passports. The principal that they were inducing clients to was being moved by dinghy to the suspect of Operation Civic was believed shore when AFP officers moved in. Five In October 1992 pay costs in cash which was then to be responsible for large scale forging distributed among the partners with people were arrested. The yacht was of NSW birth certificates and their seized, along with an AK47 firearm, a n Two Melbourne residents were arrested no tax paid. Thirty-four search warrants and charged with conspiring to make distribution. He appeared in court and were executed and some 800 people pistol and a light aircraft. was sentenced to two years in prison. counterfeit US currency with a face were interviewed. All eight pleaded Also in September 1992 value of $US5.2 million. The 18-month n Operation Liver was a lengthy joint guilty in the Supreme Court to three counts of false pretences and were n investigation resulted in 15 arrests in operation by ASIO and the AFP into A man from Perth, who was the sentenced to 12 months in prison. The intended recipient of approximately 1kg Victoria, NSW and Queensland and an ASIO officer who was arrested and charges of possession of counterfeit charged with several espionage and Law Society took subsequent action and of cocaine imported through Sydney, the Supreme Court disbarred all of the currency. official secrets offences. was arrested and charged. Further partners from practising law. investigations into his activities resulted In November 1992 n A major operation involving officers from in the seizure of more than 17kg of the AFP’s Southern Region, Western imported methamphetamine and n Commissioner Peter McAulay accepted Region and South America began when $526,350 in cash and the arrest of a a further two-year appointment as AFP a consignment of wooden wall plaques second person. Commissioner. from Colombia was found to contain

101 AFP TIME LINE

1993

7 January 1993 n Operation Sachet involved 1.273 tonnes of cannabis seized in transit south of Rockhampton. The drugs had been recovered by syndicate members from the Spring Queen, which was sunk deliberately off Mackay. Customs n AFP officers arrested three people in became aware of the scheme in its Sydney who were wanted by Dutch planning stages and alerted the AFP . authorities for an alleged murder in Nine people were arrested. Holland. Police also seized 1kg of heroin. Also in January 1993 n Six years of investigation and three n The Wellington liaison post closed. trials resulted from Operation Titanium, 11 March 1993 an investigation into the importation of 4kg of cocaine, resulting in the arrest n The Industrial Relations Commission of two Sydney men who received approved a two-year Enterprise 19 October 1993: After 10 years of planning, the AFP Museum at Weston was opened sentences of 6.5 years and 12 years in by Duncan Kerr, Minister for Justice, in the presence of local politicians and senior police Bargaining Agreement for all AFP prison. personnel. including the Museum’s patron, Deputy Commissioner Adrien Whiddett (seated right). n A Russian seaman and four Victorians Also in March 1993 The Museum occupied what was previously training space in Building G at the AFP’s were arrested after a failed attempt to n Operation Carousel related to Weston Complex in Canberra. For several years the AFP Museum proved a popular bring 5.5kg of heroin into Australia. The Queensland prisoners obtaining destination for local and interstate student excursions until the security implications of the heroin had a street value of $6 million. Department of Social Security benefits. 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the US caused the AFP to re-evaluate public access to all its establishments. n Operation Graze resulted in the Information from Queensland Police, conviction of a NSW man for his part in DSS and Queensland Department the importation of 31.3kg of cannabis of Corrective Services indicated a Increased security at Weston included the construction of a perimeter fence and the installation of boom gates and guard boxes, which made access for large numbers of resin concealed in 600 tins of olives substantial number of prisoners had imported from Syria. received benefits. Thirty people were the public to the AFP Museum impractical. As the AFP staff numbers grew, inevitably the arrested and charged with various Museum’s exhibition space was resumed to provide much needed office space. 19 May 1993 offences relating to obtaining DSS n AFP Superintendent Bob Shepherd benefits falsely. The Museum’s staff continue to collect and catalogue the AFP’s history in the anticipation that a permanent exhibition venue will be allocated in the future. Meanwhile, the Museum was among 132 people killed in a n During Operation Safe City in the ACT, continues to mount police exhibitions in partnership with other venues including Old plane crash in South America. He was 27 boys and 21 girls were taken into Parliament House, the Sydney Powerhouse Museum and the Canberra Museum and Gallery. the AFP’s liaison officer in Buenos police custody for underage drinking. – AFP Museum Collection Aires.

102 AFP TIME LINE

1993

n AFP officers were notified by the 4 June 1993 for the AFP to foster strategic alliances 19 October 1993 Australian Passports Office and the n with specialist agencies. n APS about fraudulently obtained A new Jervis Bay Police Station was The AFP Museum at Weston was opened by the Federal Minister for opened by Duncan Kerr, Minister for passports. It was established that n Customs officers became suspicious Justice, Duncan Kerr. Justice. the passports had been bought about an electric guitar in the using forged NSW birth certificates Also in June 1993 luggage of a Thai man arriving at n AFP officers recovered a safe and by British and Brazilian citizens who Perth International Airport. An X-ray of $75,000 worth of gold coins, ingots n The Honolulu liaison post closed. had overstayed their tourist visa. The the guitar found heroin with a street and jewellery stolen from a house in certificates had been sold in hotels In July 1993 value of $2 million. The man and his Canberra. Two men were arrested. and clubs around Manly and Bondi accomplice were handed over to AFP for between $1200 and $1500 with n A joint AFP operation, Operation 1 November 1993 Matrix, with the Australian Fisheries officers and charged. some fetching as much as $4500. n An AFP officer was appointed head Management Authority, the Tasmanian More than 40 people were arrested. In September 1993 of the Civilian Police for the United Police and the Victorian Department of Nation’s Somalia Justice Program. Two n A shipment of cannabis heads Conservation and National Resources n Operation Bangle resulted in a man AFP Superintendents were part of the weighing 10 tonnes was seized from a was mounted to investigate allegations being arrested and charged with United Nations Operations in Somalia fishing trawler in Geraldton, WA and a that catches of Orange Roughy obtaining credit while not disclosing (UNOSOM II). They provided advice truck in Northbridge. Five people were (Deep Sea Perch or Patagonian Tooth he was an undischarged bankrupt. The and assisted in the development and arrested following information received fish) were being landed illegally and value of the offences was $1.4 million. training of a civilian police authority. from Indonesian authorities. being over fished. The investigation During February 1994 information was revealed that 3,343,740kg of Orange 29 November 1993 Also in May 1993 received that he was continuing to obtain Roughy were caught but false records credit from numerous mining equipment n At around 8am, Felipe Ruizdiaz n The Fraud Control Unit of DSS understated the amount by 907.7kg. deliberately drove his utility vehicle identified 25 fraudulent claims paid companies in Sydney. He was arrested In August 1993 through the plate glass doors of through the Toowoomba Regional again and charged with offences relating Canberra’s Jolimont Centre where his Office. Operation Bantu found that n The Report of the Review of to obtaining credit while an undischarged estranged wife worked. Mr Ruizdiaz these payments totalled almost Commonwealth Law Enforcement bankrupt. The value of these offences set fire to the building by igniting $634,000. The investigation identified Arrangements (CLER) was conducted. was $3.3 million. gas cylinders and petrol bombs he’d that the claims were all connected and The CLER recommended changes in n A Dutch woman was about to board transported to the site. Only minutes had been initiated by a DSS employee. the AFP to ensure it continued to meet earlier he had shot the manager of the In March 1994, the employee and her emerging national law enforcement her plane to Holland when Sydney Dickson Swimming Pool. husband were arrested and charged challenges. The new direction would Customs officers decided to search with organised fraud. They were focus on serious fraud, fraud liaison, her luggage. They found $339,250 Police action was hampered by sentenced to seven and five years in new forms of international and in Australian currency concealed in recurring gun fire within the building, prison and ordered to pay $173,420 organised crime in addition to existing chocolate boxes. The woman was but all occupants were successfully and $228,938 to the Commonwealth. areas. The review emphasised the need arrested and the money was seized. evacuated from the building. Police

103 AFP TIME LINE

1993

eventually found Mr Ruizdiaz dead from investigation targeting the 1989–93 a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police, financial years. fire and ambulance services were n Counterfeit $50 notes appeared in commended for their response to the Queensland and Victorian fast food situation. The damage to the building outlets and small businesses. AFP was estimated at $5 million. officers, with Queensland Police, arrested six people. n The House of Representatives Standing 29 November 1993: At around 8am Felipe Ruizdiaz deliberately drove his utility vehicle Committee on Banking, Finance and through the plate glass doors of Canberra’s Jolimont Centre where his estranged wife n Operation Camber was an investigation Public Administration finalised its worked. Mr Ruizdiaz set fire to the building by igniting gas cylinders and petrol bombs he’d into the misuse of Government credit report on the inquiry into fraud on the transported to the site. – AFP Museum Collection cards. Between December 1988 Commonwealth titled Focusing on and December 1991, a DAS state Fraud (the Elliot Report). manager, a DAS employee and a n Operation Leo was an investigation former DAS employee fraudulently into a multi-million dollar fraud of used Government credit cards. They counterfeit pharmaceutical goods, a paid three businesses for contract work large portion of which was believed that was not carried out. The fraud was to be packaged and exported from valued at $1.2 million. In 1993 all three were sentenced to between two Perth. This was a joint investigation with and four years in prison. the UK Police, the Hong Kong Police and the ICAC in Hong Kong. Several In December 1993 shipments of pharmaceuticals were n imported by a company and boxes of The Jakarta liaison post re-opened. products were seized. The company’s n An 18-month investigation into tax director was charged with 260 evasion by members of the Geraldton offences. crayfishing industry took place. ATO suspected that catch weights reported n Operation Nepean was an investigation by the crayfishing industry to WA into alleged tax and DSS fraud Fisheries for stock management committed by various associated purposes varied from the catch weights clothing businesses. The ladies’ fashion reported for taxation purposes. 53 businesses were located in Brisbane, people were arrested. Sydney and Gold Coast. The fraud was detected by ATO as a result of a business audit and was estimated at 27 January 1994: Assistant Commissioner Eastern Region Phil Baer with 175kg of cocaine $1 million per financial year with the seized in Sydney during Operation Wand. – AFP Museum Collection

104 20 May 1994 n Mick Palmer was sworn in as the AFP’s AFP TIME LINE fourth Commissioner by Chief Justice Jeffrey Miles. Previously he had been the Commissioner of the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency 1994 Services. 24 May 1994 n Thirtieth anniversary of AUSTCIVPOL contingents in Cyprus. n AFP officers charged a Sydney accountant with fraud of more than 27 January 1994 $500,000 on the Australian Taxation n Operation Wand resulted from Office. information received from overseas. Also in May 1994 A search warrant was executed at premises in Artarmon and Manly, n The Islamabad liaison post opened. NSW. Cocaine weighing 175kg was 12 June 1994 located in two metal trunks. Five duffle 27 January 1994 : Operation Wand led to cocaine weighing 175kg being located in bags containing approximately 95kg two metal trunks after residences were searched at Artarmon and Manly. Five duffle bags n A new police station for Norfolk Island of cocaine were also found in a 1970 containing approximately 95kg of cocaine were also found in a 1970 Mercedes Benz opened. Mercedes Benz vehicle parked in the garaged at one of the houses.– AFP Museum Collection garage. Eighteen people were arrested. 20 June 1994 n The AFP’s Townsville office was opened n Winchester Police Centre opened. The by Commissioner McAulay. Centre cost $8 million to build and located previously separated areas of n Five people were arrested in connection ACT Region in the one building. with T-shirts printed with forged logos and trade marks, including the Sydney 1 July 1994 Olympic 2000 logo. A total of 20,000 printed and blank T­‑shirts were seized n A joint State and federal operation with 300 printing screens, printing in Darwin resulted in the seizure of equipment and dryers. One of the men 21kg of heroin found on the vessel charged owned a Chinese-based T-shirt Teh Sun No.16. Four Singaporeans, manufacturing company and also a a Vietnamese Australian and the number of stalls at the Sydney markets Indonesian captain and one crew which he supplied with the forged stock. member were arrested. 24 March 1994 n Commissioner Palmer implemented the change process in which ranks n The AFP’s peacekeeping contingent to were replaced with the generic title Mozambique left Australia. of Federal Agent for sworn members. n An AFP superintendent joined police in The process ensured that the AFP’s South Africa to assist in training. primary focus was on operational activities, with investigations organised 19 May 1994 and conducted by flexible, empowered n The $10.5 million refurbishment of the August 1994: Detective Constable David Craig with cannabis recovered from the operations teams. Voluntary drug AFP College at Barton began. MV Paulson during Operation Caribou. – AFP Museum Collection testing was also introduced for all staff.

105 AFP TIME LINE

1994 A program of change developed out of this meeting designed to transform almost every aspect of the AFP in order to enable it to meet the law enforcement challenges of the 21st century. 13 July 1994 3 November 1994 n Operation Calgary started when a n David Harold Eastman was found guilty Coastwatch patrol off Bathurst Island, of murdering Assistant Commissioner NT, located a Thai fishing vessel, Colin Winchester. Bahari 314. The vessel was ordered to n The Special Intelligence Branch (ACT) Darwin Harbour where it was moored to was renamed Security Intelligence and the quarantine buoy the following day. A Diplomatic Liaison (SIDL). short time later a hessian bag was seen October 1994: Dee Quigley and Bob Sobey visiting an orphanage while serving with the floating in the water next to the vessel. AFP contingent in Haiti for Operation Uphold Democracy. – AFP Museum Collection n An AFP officer was appointed Director The bag was recovered and police divers of Operations for the Royal Commission located two more bags containing 5 August 1994 12 September 1994 into the NSW Police. heroin. Eight crew members of the n n Police seized 27.3kg of heroin from n Operation Extra resulted in the arrest vessel were arrested and charged and Operation Caribou resulted in 5 tonnes an Australian male in Sydney as part near Mackay, Queensland, of two 123.4kg of heroin was recovered as a of cannabis resin being seized by the of Operation Norse–Oden. On 17 brothers who were charged with result of the joint cooperation between AFP at Queensland’s Hervey Bay and September, police seized 9.5kg of the possession of 1.4 tonnes of the AFP, Northern Territory Police, another 10 tonnes found dumped heroin from a Chinese man in Perth. On compressed cannabis. The drugs were Customs and the Royal Thai Police. at sea. Authorities from PNG and 19 September police seized 10.9kg believed to have been off-loaded from a French Noumea assisted the AFP in 15 July 1994 of heroin from two Chinese men in vessel. bringing 20 men to justice. The vessel Adelaide. Heroin weighing 47.7kg had n AFP officers in South Australia seized MV Paulsun was confiscated. The n Operation Canola involved extensive been imported into Western Australia surveillance of several houses in 1000 garments with counterfeit brand mother ship, Gemini, was seized in the by a Chinese wheat vessel. Nine men names and machinery used in their Papua New Guinean port of Alotau on Sydney’s western suburbs and the were arrested. seizure of 10 blocks of heroin and a production. Police in the Northern 26 August with the help of the PNG large number of deal bags. Two men Territory seized 500 similar garments Police. n The Port Moresby liaison post opened. at the Katherine Show. were arrested. 28 October 1994 9 August 1994 Also in July 1994 n Operation Wafer was a joint AFP and n A contingent of 25 AFP officers and n City Station re-opened after an United States authorities operation. n AFP and ATO officers started a joint five state police left for five months of extensive refurbishment. It involved an investigation into a investigation into the activities of an peacekeeping duties in Haiti during Melbourne-based organised crime accountant who owned five accounting 22 August 1994 Operation Uphold Democracy. group that produced $US5 million practices in Western Australia. It Also in October 1994 counterfeit $US100 bank notes and was alleged that the ATO had been n Deputy Commissioner Brian Bates left distributed them throughout Australia’s defrauded of $5,217,518 through the AFP to become Commissioner of n Commissioner Palmer convened a eastern States. Search warrants were the submission of company returns the Northern Territory Police, Fire and meeting of the AFP’s executive officers executed and 13 people were charged containing false information. Emergency Services. at Mollymook on the NSW south coast. with Crime Currency Act offences.

106 AFP TIME LINE

1995

1 January 1995 controlled operation resulted in the made free of Telecom charges, from a consignment of car parts arrived at the arrest of a Chinese national and four public phone box. A total of 43 people TNT depot at Botany from Singapore n Members of the ACT Drug Operations Canadians. The principal received life in were intercepted at 16 locations in and a search of the container revealed Branch commenced an investigation prison. Melbourne. 15kg of heroin hidden in the ceiling. into nine deaths believed to be a result A false lamp was fitted underneath it n of heroin overdoses. An analysis of the 10 March 1995 Bluey Day campaign began in Horsham, as a disguise. On 19 April a controlled heroin seized established the ‘rock’ Victoria under the name ‘Crop-a-Cop’ n Customs officers stopped and searched operation resulted in the arrest of five heroin being sold on Canberra streets and became an Australia-wide annual a man arriving from PNG at Brisbane Singapore nationals. had a purity level of up to 77 per cent. event to raise money for children with International Airport. He was found to cancer. Also in April 1995 n An audit of the AFP’s Equal Employment have 14 packages containing 2.4kg of Opportunity Program in the Niland cannabis strapped to his legs. n The AFP received allegations from n Federal agents began Operation Report was completed. the ATO that two offenders had Nirvana, an investigation in Cairns into Also in March 1995 defrauded the Commonwealth by the allegations of the purchase of a Cessna 6 January 1995 n Operation March Hare was an exercise submission of 600 client tax returns 310 aircraft used in the importation n An Indonesian man was searched on conducted by the Standing Advisory which contained inflated deductions. of 55kg of cannabis from Papua New arrival at Sydney Airport and found Committee on Commonwealth–State The estimated value of the fraud was Guinea. Three men were charged. $1.8 million. Two people were arrested. to have 39 blank credit cards and an Cooperation for Protection Against n Three men, members of The Loyal encoding machine in his possession. Violence (SACPAV) to assess the ACT n A person was charged with Regiment of Australian Guardians, were Region’s capability to respond to a seven counts of defrauding the arrested and a number of houses in n Operation Paradox, an annual phone-in terrorist attack. conducted by ACT Policing received Commonwealth to the value of Canberra were searched. Military and 98 calls relating to victims of sexual n The first public statement by the AFP $91.8 million. Operation Spanner sporting firearms were seized, along or physical assault. Two people were in relation to Operation Sea King and investigated major fraudulent activity with a large quantity of ammunition. involving Beneficial Finance Corporation charged with offences as a result of the the activities of the Aum Shinrikyo sect In May 1995 calls. in Western Australia was released. The Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the sect had been responsible for a Sarin State Bank of South Australia, in a n Operation Arizona was an investigation 11 January 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subway that taxation avoidance scheme. into allegations of paedophile activities killed 12 people and injured 5500. in Department of Foreign Affairs and n A consignment of four crates containing n A Victorian man was charged with An investigation revealed that the sect Trade personnel in eight countries. One framed pictures arrived at Sydney forging war medals. He was ordered had used the remote WA property to man was charged. Airport from Thailand. Operation to forfeit his personal collection of develop their ability to make the gas. Brawlins resulted in the search of the medals which were then auctioned. The n Operation Alpha–Gazebo was a joint consignment revealing 55.8kg of heroin n Operation Pentium: Information received proceeds were used to compensate the Queensland Police, NCA and AFP concealed in plastic bags wrapped in alleged that people in the Lebanese victims of his crimes. task force targeting a specific group carbon paper in the lining of 29 glass community were selling a device and 13 April 1995 importing heroin into Queensland. paintings. The street value of the drugs instructions for $2000 that enabled Seventy people were arrested, and 21 was estimated to be $75 million. A international telephone calls to be n Operation Avoca began when a importations of heroin were investigated.

107 AFP TIME LINE

1995

1 July 1995 n Operation Brogue task force members intercepted a vehicle being driven by crew members of a ship recently arrived from Singapore. Heroin weighing was found in the boot. One crew member and six Asian males in Darwin and Sydney were arrested and received prison sentences between 12 and 24 years. In September 1995 5 August 1994: Cannabis dumped at sea was recovered during Operation Caribou by n As a result of Operation Puritan, French Noumea authorities assisting the AFP. – AFP Museum Collection an Australian citizen was arrested and charged with a money laundering scheme. He was charged n Operation Gallon sought to determine Also in November 1995 the source of leaked confidential with conspiracy to defraud the n A painting by Ethel Carrick-Fox Commonwealth of $4,740,621. He investigation information to several newspapers. The information related was reported missing from the was also charged with three counts Commonwealth Government offices in of failing to declare $1,961,825 to alleged impropriety against a former federal senator. Melbourne. On loan from the National taxable income, with actual tax avoided Gallery, the painting, In a Nice Flower totalling $836,657. n Operation Goliath resulted in the arrest Market, was valued at $35,000. It was n A German woman was arrested at of two men in Sydney after a controlled recovered in 1997 after being sold for Perth Airport for importing 3kg of delivery of 947 grams of heroin inside $110,000 at auction. ecstasy inside a toy polar bear. wood planing machinery was sent from Melbourne to Sydney. In October 1995 13 November 1995 n The AFP’s management structure was revised to a four tier structure n New premises for the AFP Gold Coast to bring it in line with the National office were opened by the Federal Operations Model. Its tiers were the Minister for Justice, Duncan Kerr. National Management Team, the 14 November 1995 National Priorities Group, the National Operations Team and the Regional n Former AFP Commissioner, Peter Management Teams. McAulay died from a respiratory illness.

108 Weston were inspected by assessors from the National Association of Testing Authorities. The AFP facilities AFP TIME LINE received laboratory accreditation against internationally recognised standards. 1996 In May 1996 n Operation Caravan was an investigation into the importation of 12kg of cocaine from Nicaragua. The drugs were concealed inside a loading ramp used to transport an antique horse carriage. An American man was arrested in Sydney’s south-west. January 1996 n Operation May Pole was conducted n A cannabis importation and money by SAC-PAV to test the ACT region’s laundering syndicate operating between ability to protect and then respond to Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, an attempted assassination of a visiting Germany and the UK attempted to dignitary. import 11 tonnes of cannabis into Australia. Four men were found guilty n The Chiang Mai liaison post closed. as a result of investigations in Operation In June 1996 Niacin and received sentences of 19 August 1996: AFP officers held back 2000 protesters attempting to enter Parliament between seven and nine years. Assets House as a show of disapproval with aspects of the 1996 Federal Budget. n Police from Amsterdam arrived in of more that $10 million, including – AFP Museum Collection Perth to exchange information on the $6 million in cash, were seized. European and Australian connections arrested after they had received an NSW Royal Commission into Police of Operation Overhead resulting in 11 March 1996 oriental statue that had been part of Corruption (the Wood Inquiry). the arrest of seven people for their a controlled delivery of heroin. Most involvement in the importation of n The AFP’s Cairns office moved to 110 of the drugs had been substituted by n Operation Coltsfoot, a joint AFP–NSW 716kg of ecstasy tablets from The McLeod Street. federal agents in Sydney before being Drug Enforcement Agency investigation into drug trafficking involving the Netherlands. 13 March 1996 delivered to their Canberra address. Vietnamese community, resulted in the n Operation Mombasa was an 2 April 1996 n Federal Agent Steve Hill, 37, was arrest of 91 people. investigation involving AFP officers in killed in a light plane crash with three n A resident arrived at Sydney n The Bangkok liaison post opened. WA, the AFP’s Overseas Liaison Officers others near Albany on WA’s southern Airport on a flight from via network, Australia Post, and the National coast. Federal Agent Hill, along with n Singapore and a Customs baggage Darryl Williams appointed Attorney- Criminal Intelligence Service in London. representatives from WA Police and search located a large number of General and Federal Minister for Six people were arrested and 1kg of Customs, and a local pilot, was flying packages containing approximately Justice. amphetamine and 1800 tabs of LSD to investigate a possible drug drop on a 70,000 ecstasy tablets (10.9kg) under n were seized. Electronic transfers of secluded beach 30km east of Albany. A deserter from the US Navy was the false bottoms of two suitcases. He sentenced to three years in prison for money amounting to $150,000 and 26 March 1996 was arrested and charged. attempting to bring 560 grams of $73,000 in cash were forfeited. heroin contained in 135 condoms that n ACT Region and the ACT Department n Operation Diesel was an investigation 1 July 1996 he had swallowed, into Australia. of Urban Services received the into the deliberate defrauding of the n Targeted illicit drug testing was Government Technology Productivity ATO by the principals of a furniture n AFP and NSW Police launched introduced in the AFP, along with the Award for the development of the company. Three people were arrested. Operation Snowsafe to improve road first stage of the new classification Autocite hand-held terminal for traffic safety awareness in people driving to n The Harrison Inquiry into allegations of salary structures in which members will and parking infringement notices. and from the snowfields in the region. . corruption in the AFP was completed. be rewarded for their knowledge, skills, n An ACT man and his wife were The allegations had been raised by the n The Forensic Services facilities at experience and values.

109 AFP TIME LINE

1996

place near the Tin Can Bay area of Queensland. Cannabis resin weighing 8 July 1996 8.4 tonnes was seized along with the n The Crimes Act 1914was amended vessel Highlander and three off-load and provided for the conducting of punts. Initially 15 people were arrested. controlled operations by Australian law Their sentences ranged between 10 enforcement agencies. and 14 years in prison. 5000 marijuana 19 August 1996 plants were also found at a property n AFP members held back 2000 leased by one of the principals. Three protesters who attempted to enter more people were later arrested and Parliament House. A similar protest took place at Old Parliament House on the the combined sentences of all those following day. The Prime Minister, John 26 November 1996: The refurbished Australian Federal Police College was re-opened arrested amounted to 150 years. Howard, and Leader of the Opposition, as Barton Park Training and Conference Centre. Two years later the name reverted to the Kim Beazley, praised AFP members’ original sign; Australian Federal Police College. – AFP Museum Collection n ACT Region Crime Stoppers was handling of the difficult situation. officially launched to cover the areas of Canberra, Queanbeyan, Bungendore, 11 September 1996 building opened in Spring Hill, Brisbane. inside a 10-metre shipping container. Yass, Goulburn and Cooma. The The container arrived at Sydney from n TheProceeds of Crime Amendment n Cambodia and was consigned to a A Sydney man was charged with the program relies on cooperation between Act 1996 was passed enabling the importation of 14kg of heroin concealed Commonwealth to distribute proceeds rope manufacturer in Ingleburn, NSW. the police, media and the general public in a consignment of wood planers of crime to a foreign country that had to provide information about crimes and n Unique fossilised dinosaur footprints imported from Thailand. A controlled assisted in its recovery. criminals. were cut from rocks near Broome delivery of the drugs in Operation 11 October 1996 with power tools. It was claimed Dynamite led to the arrest of two men, n The staff of the Australian Institute of that these prints provided the only n Operation Anthem took place when one of whom received a 10-year prison Police Management came under the evidence that stegosaurs had existed sentence. AFP, Customs, NCA and Victoria Police in Australia and were the only known terms of employment of the AFP Act. combined to seize 23.7kg of heroin stegosaur prints in the world. The theft 26 November 1996 n Sales tax avoidance of $2.5 million hidden in cavities in four hand-carved and removal of fossils is an offence resulted in a Melbourne computer wall hangings that arrived from Thailand under the WA Aboriginal Heritage Act n The refurbished Australian Federal at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport. 1972 and the Federal Protection of Police College re-opened as Barton Park wholesaler being charged. The company Three men were arrested. Moveable Cultural Heritage Act 1986. Training and Conference Centre. Two was estimated to have turned over years later the name reverted to the 13 November 1996 The AFP assisted the WA Police in this more than $12 million in stock without investigation. original version. paying tax. n Operation Nitric, a joint Customs and 13 December 1996 AFP operation resulted in the seizure 14 November 1996 n The AFP’s minister was Senator Amanda of 5 tonnes of cannabis concealed n Northern Region’s new head office n Operation Molotov–Calculus took Vanstone, Minister for Justice.

110 AFP TIME LINE

1997

5 January 1997 NCA and . Four people were arrested. n In a joint AFP, Customs and Coastwatch operation, Operation Cyclops, n Operation Oatmeal resulted in the approximately 10 tonnes of cannabis arrest of 21 people in relation to resin was seized from the vessel an Australian citizenship scam. Southern Cross, north of Port Stephens. An employee who worked in the Three people were arrested in Australia citizenship section of Department of and the mother ship, Hiddensee, 28 April 1997: Operation Tamarind located 78kg of heroin concealed in 168 tins of Immigration, Local Government and was detained by French authorities located inside a shipping container at Port Botany. – AFP Museum Collection Ethnic Affair’s Rockdale office had in Noumea on 9 January. Eight crew cancelled citizenship certificates of members were arrested and extradited 24 February 1997 laundered and transferred overseas to genuine applicants and sold them, to Australia. The owner of Hiddensee avoid taxation payments in Australia. n through middle men, for sums of was sentenced to 12 years in prison. AFP and Customs found 506 blocks Five people were arrested. Assets to of cannabis, each weighing 1.2kg in between $30,000 and $80,000 per the value of $1.131 million were also n The AFP developed and introduced a a container of household furniture. certificate. new information management system, seized. A lengthy controlled operation led to n Operation Doona was a notable Police Realtime On-line Management the arrest of one person. In March 1997 success for the Joint Asian Crime Information System (PROMIS), to provide a single, consistent system Also in February 1997 n Three members of one Vietnamese Group – a joint AFP, Customs, family were arrested in a joint NCA, NSW Police and NSW Crime for documenting the progress of n Compressed cannabis weighing AFP–Queensland Police investigation, Commission team operating mainly investigations, information collection 600kg was discovered concealed in Operation Fibula, for heroin trafficking out of the Sydney area. and its subsequent retrieval. a container of furniture from South and money laundering. Their assets Africa. Operation Abilene led to the 21 January 1997 were seized, including a block of 28 April 1997 arrest of a man in Sydney after he land, a Porsche and a Honda Accord. n The AFP Regional Traffic Team was had arranged for the consignment to n Operation Tamarind involved a In the same operation, three Tongan implemented to increase police be transported to a storage unit. 60-strong team of AFP, Customs presence of the roads in the ACT. nationals were sentenced to eight and NSW Police Drug Enforcement n Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) profiling years in prison for attempting to Agency locating 78kg of heroin 28 January 1997 was introduced into AFP Forensic smuggle packages of cocaine into concealed in 168 tins of pineapples. Services at Weston as a routine in- Australia strapped to their thighs and n Federal Agents and Australian Maritime A shipping container at Port Botany house technique. Previously, samples chests. Safety Authority members boarded the was searched and found to contain had been sent interstate. Karen‑B after it entered an area near n Operation Degree used the AUSTRAC 800 cartons, each containing 24 Booby Island (Torres Strait) without a n Operation Flange was a joint database to process intelligence and tins of pieces. Three arrests pilot and breached the Great Barrier operation by the AFP, NCA, AUSTRAC resulted in 40kg of cannabis heads were made. Prison sentences of Reef Maritime Park Act. The Master of and the ATO into allegations that from South Africa being seized in a between nine and 20 years were the ship was fined $5000. more than $48 million had been joint investigation by AFP, Customs, given.

111 AFP TIME LINE

1997

n Operation Scallop was a joint Queensland Police, Coastwatch n A 26-year-old Sydney computer to entice women from Thailand. A investigation by the AFP, NSW Crime and the Royal Papua New Guinea hacker, who used the name Optik Melbourne man was charged with Commission and NSW Police into Constabulary into a syndicate Surfer received a prison sentence of fraud and migration-related offences. a conspiracy to supply $4 million suspected of being involved in a guns- three years for fraudulently inserting 13 July 1997 worth of cannabis heads. Three men for-cannabis trade between Australia data into a computer. He had were extradited from Victoria to NSW and PNG in the Torres Strait. Eleven hacked into an ISP’s account file and n Operation Quokka began the to face charges and $1.5 million in people were arrested and cannabis, distributed account names and credit investigation into the death of 12-year- assets were seized. cash and guns were seized. card details of the company’s clients. old Katie Bender who was among the crowd sprayed with building debris n A 72-year-old Melbourne woman n Federal agents charged a Coff’s n The AFP opened offices in Tasmania while watching the implosion of the was found guilty of defrauding Harbour man with sending hoax Police Headquarters in Hobart and Royal Canberra Hospital. Nine people the Department of Social Security bombs through the mail. He sent two in its Northern Headquarters in were injured. Police divers searched of $67,234. She was given an to Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s house, two Launceston. Five federal agents nearby sections of the lake for five 18‑month prison sentence which to Bob Hawke’s house, and others to were stationed in Hobart and two in days in an attempt to retrieve the was suspended on condition that she the ALP Headquarters in Sydney, AFP Launceston. remaining debris from the demolition. enter into a $1000 good behaviour in Canberra, the Auditor-General’s 7 June 1997 bond and return the money to the office and the ACT Chief Minister’s 17 July 1997 Department. office. n During Operation Ritz approximately n Operation Platypus I: Customs 483kg of cannabis resin was found 4 May 1997 n officers advised the AFP that they A Sydney computer salesman in two vehicles leaving Darwin for received a prison sentence of six had identified drugs in 15 crates of n Operation Aquatic was the Sydney. Two men were arrested. years for the possession of 8.5kg of furniture consigned from Malaysia investigation into the murder in heroin. Operation Typhoon resulted n Operation Vaccine involved charging to Sydney. After drilling part of the Canberra of Ulrike Conway resulting in in the discovery of the drugs in the a man with 12 fraud-related tax marble furniture they located 23.4kg the arrest of four people, including her luggage of two airline passengers offences with an estimated value of of heroin. A controlled operation husband. All four were convicted and from Singapore. These two, and others, $1.049 million. He was sentenced to resulted in one arrest. sentenced to terms of imprisonment were arrested. five years in prison and $500,000 in ranging from 18 to 24 years. The case 18 July 1997 assets were seized. drew much media attention because n Operation Chowder resulted in the n The 50th anniversary of the swearing of the botched attempt to make the seizure of 142 counterfeit polymer 16 June 1997 in of the first woman police officer in murder appear to be a drug overdose $20 bank notes that were passed n The AFP’s new Darwin office opened. the ACT, Alice Clarke. and because her husband, John in Melbourne and Sydney. The bank Conway, was a former AFP officer. notes were printed on plasticised n The AFP worked with the Department n Operation Platypus II resulted in the paper with a clear window area. It was of Immigration and Multicultural seizure of 16kg of heroin which had Also in May 1997 believed that the bank notes had been Affairs, Australian Taxation Office and been concealed in the struts of two n Operation Conrad was a five month produced by using multimedia printing the Victorian Police to investigate packing cases containing glassware. A investigation by the AFP, Customs, technology. allegations of an illegal entry scheme Singaporean man was arrested.

112 AFP TIME LINE

1997

n A German man received a five year teams were called in from NSW and n Members of Northern Region arrested from Belgium. A search by AFP officers sentence for his part in the importation ACT. A 13-member rescue team from an Australian and a New Zealander revealed 8101 ecstasy tablets weighing of 11,000 tabs of ecstasy concealed in ACT Region played a major role in in connection with the importation of 1.6kg concealed inside a marine water a toy bear. Other members of the group extracting the sole survivor. 30kg of cannabis aboard the MV Boyne pump during Operation Pluton. A man were arrested in Perth and received which was intercepted in Cairns. was arrested. sentences of five, 14 and 16 years in 31 July 1997 Operation Tibia involved the resources 9 September 1997 prison. The drug syndicate spanned the n Operation Skidoo led to the detection of the AFP, Customs, Coastwatch, world and the investigation resulted of 6.24kg of heroin hidden inside 23 Queensland Police and the Royal Papua n Information from Customs alerted the in 12 more arrests in Germany, with speakers. Customs officers detected New Guinea Constabulary. Both men AFP to five boxes received at Clyde others in Italy, South America and heroin in one speaker in a consignment received prison sentences of three years. Mail Exchange containing wooden Thailand. of three cartons imported from Thailand. 4 August 1997 statues with heroin concealed inside 28 July 1997 Federal agents mounted a controlled the bases. The statues were sent from delivery and arrested three men in n Melbourne Customs advised the AFP Bangkok to a Sydney address. One n Two US citizens arrived from Argentina Sydney. of the arrival of a consignment of 1800 person was arrested and charged with via Auckland. During a Customs intuitive tins of water chestnuts from China. A possession of a prohibited import. search, knapsacks containing 20kg Also in July 1997 Customs search revealed that 20 tins 19 September 1997 of cocaine were found inside each n A Joint Asian Crime Group, made each contained two blocks of heroin person’s suitcase. The two were arrested up of the AFP, NSW Police, National with an estimated weight of 32kg. An n AFP officers in the ACT received and charged with importing a prohibited Crime Authority, Customs and NSW AFP controlled operation, Operation information leading them to a substance. Further investigations in Crimes Commission was formed with Varnish, resulted in two arrests. warehouse being used as a holding Operation Pita resulted in the arrest of the operational name of Operation Also in August 1997 area and workshop to modify stolen two other US citizens at a Parramatta Blade. Its objective was to provide data and imported vehicles. The imported hotel. to the Australian Criminal Intelligence n AFP Special Investigations reviewed vehicles were being registered in Database which could then be accessed all information concerning allegations n Operation Hannibal involved two the ACT without complying with by all Australian law enforcement that Konrad Kalejs had been linked to a Australian standards. Numerous other consecutive controlled deliveries agencies in the fight against Asian Latvian group responsible for the deaths vehicles were found to have been of 6kg of heroin concealed in truck organised crime. of a large number of Jews, Communists stolen in NSW then reappearing with transmission parts. Two Sydney men and Gypsies during World War II. The ACT registration and new engine and and two in Hong Kong were arrested n AFP officers teamed with the AFP provided a report to the DPP stating chassis identification numbers. Over 30 and received prison sentences of six Department of Immigration and that there was insufficient evidence to vehicles were seized as a result of this years. Multicultural Affairs and the Navy warrant charges against Kalejs. The DPP investigation. at Ashmore Reef, in far north WA. agreed with the report. 30 July 1997 Subsequently three Indonesian n Operation Putter resulted in the seizure 27 August 1997 n Eighteen people were swept away in fishermen were arrested for assisting of 7.4kg of ecstasy hidden inside an a landslide at Thredbo Alpine Village. 10 Iraquis and two Algerians to enter n A Customs officer was suspicious inflatable air mattress in a suitcase Police and Emergency Services rescue Australia illegally. about a consignment air freighted belonging to a passenger at Melbourne

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1997

Airport. Following a controlled n Operation Parma was a joint delivery five people were arrested and operation involving the AFP and $150,000 was seized. the ATO into manipulated tax files numbers and the use of fraudulent n Operation Mentor, an investigation group certificates and tax returns for into alleged Health Insurance over $1.3 million. Commission fraud, resulted in four Directors of a Sydney medical centre 23 December 1997 being summonsed to court. n A new City Beat office opened in 31 October 1997 Civic, Canberra. 31 October 1997: AFP, Customs, South Australia Police and the NCA combined in Also in December 1997 n The AFP, Customs, South Australia Operation Mariner–Hyde to seize 13.6kg of heroin concealed in five marble pedestals air- Police and the NCA combined in freighted to Adelaide from Thailand. –AFP Museum Collection n Four AFP officers were deployed to Operation Mariner–Hyde to make Bougainville for peacekeeping duties. nine arrests and seize 13.6kg of making inquiries regarding a stolen authorities to introduce programs to heroin concealed in five marble motor vehicle, linked two men reduce the use of drugs in Australia. n ACT and Eastern Region officers, pedestals air-freighted to Adelaide associated with the vehicle to the The funding gave rise to the AFP along with Royal Thai and from Thailand. disappearance of two schoolgirls Operation Avian strike teams. Singaporean Police, combined to from Bega. As a result, the bodies of investigate an importation of 2.2kg of n Operation Trampoline commenced 27 November 1997 the two girls were located and the heroin into the ACT. A Thai national following a referral from the ATO men convicted for the murders. was arrested and sentenced to 14 after it was alleged that a father n Two hundred AFP, Queensland Police, National Crime Authority years in prison. and son had not disclosed income n Two female Australian National and Customs personnel took part of $4.1 million from the sale of University law students were arrested n Operation Cleric involved AFP and in raids on the Gold Coast and in polystyrene boxes manufactured on and charged with the murder of one ATO officers breaking a multi-million south-east Queensland netting 2kg the family property in Shepparton. woman’s de facto husband by putting dollar tax evasion scheme in the of heroin, 285kg of cocaine, 2.2kg South Australian clothing industry Rohypnol in his coffee and then n Operation Trellis detected the of cannabis, 600 LSD tabs and 500 which had links to Melbourne-based injecting him with a lethal dose of activities of three couriers who ecstasy tablets in Operation Eastlake. entities. heroin. Based on the case, Australian smuggled cocaine, ecstasy and Twenty-five people were arrested and author, Helen Garner, subsequently heroin from Israel into Melbourne assets valued at $1.1 million of motor wrote Joe Cinque’s Consolation: a over a period of seven months. vehicles, cash and properties were true story of death, grief and the law. Another three people were arrested seized. later. n The Federal Government announced 15 December 1997 the launch of its $100 million Tough In November 1997 on Drugs package. The strategy n Tuggeranong Police station opened in n Two ACT Region patrol members, provided funding for law enforcement the ACT.

114 AFP TIME LINE warrants was executed on houses in Canberra during Operation Canister. Police seized a large amount of cash, 1998 drugs, property and firearms and nine people were arrested. 16 March 1998 n The AFP received an additional $11.816 million under the latest round of the Federal Government’s national Illicit Drug Strategy, Tough on Drugs. 7 January 1998 3 April 1998 n The Hanoi liaison post opened. n A British man was arrested and 21 February 1998 charged for his part in the importation n Guided missile frigate, HMAS of ecstasy and amphetamines from the Newcastle, apprehended a Honduran UK via the postal system. Operation vessel, Big Star which had been fishing Fluoride investigations led to the in Australian waters off Heard and information that he was a senior McDonald Islands. The vessel was member of a well-established group boarded on suspicion of poaching and which had been importing drugs into 250 tonnes of Patagonian Toothfish Australia for three years. (Dissostichus eleginoides or Orange Also in April 1998 Roughy) were found. n Mutual assistance in Operation Stark, Also in February 1998 between the UK’s Middlesborough n The Prime Minister announced that Constabulary Drug Squad and the AFP, Tony Ayers would undertake The resulted in the arrest of several people Strategic Review of the Resourcing in connection with the importation Needs of the AFP to ensure that the of ecstasy from the UK and money AFP was appropriately resourced to laundering. perform its functions. n Customs searched an incoming n A woman was charged in Sydney passenger at Perth Airport and found in relation to the group tax fraud that he was wearing a body vest worth $5.5 million. Operation Plaque containing 3kg of ecstasy and 1kg revealed that she had done the book of amphetamines. Operation Kodiak keeping for several false companies for led to two other passengers, one of her employer over the past six years. whom was found to have two more vests, each containing a further 2kg n The AFP’s Law Enforcement of ecstasy and 1kg of amphetamine Cooperation Program (LECP) was tablets. initiated to provide funding and support for regional police agencies 2 May 1998 and to enhance their ability to combat transnational crime. n A Korean-registered vessel, Ocean October 1998: Operation Linnet was a land and sea operation off Port Macquarie that Vanguard, travelled through a section n A coordinated wave of simultaneous resulted in 390kg of heroin seized. – AFP Museum Collection of the Great Barrier Reef without a pilot.

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1998

Officers of the Australian Maritime 13 October 1998 Authority reported the incident to the n AFP and the captain was charged with First secretary of the Royal Embassy of one offence against the Great Barrier Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Al-Ghamdi was found murdered at his apartment in the Reef Marine Parks Act. Canberra suburb of Kingston. A man 19 May 1998 and woman were charged with murder. Two men were charged with being n The Thursday Island Resident Agent 18 July 1998: Federal Agent Steve Emes, with one of the commercial ovens found to knowingly concerned in the murder. All post opened. contain heroin weighing close to 91kg. – AFP Museum Collection four were extradited to the ACT. n Operation Stockman began when n A joint investigation by the AFP, on eight islands in the Torres Strait. n Customs officials and AFP officers in the AFP identified a suspect shipping NSW Police and Customs officers in Perth X-rayed boxes of frozen fish and container off-loaded from a vessel Sixteen offenders were charged with Operation Goldbeck resulted in the from China. The container was 23 offences, and four firearms were found 2kg of heroin concealed in the arrest of 22 people in Sydney and addressed to a business consultant in seized. fish carcasses shipped from Singapore. Newcastle for their involvement in a South Wentworth. AFP and Customs Four men were arrested as a result of 18 July 1998 major heroin distribution ring. It was members found 94kg of heroin Operation Entasis. alleged that they had sold more that concealed in three industrial oven n The AFP, in a joint operation with In September 1998 $5 million worth of heroin in the grillers. A controlled operation resulted Customs, seized an estimated 91kg previous three months. in two arrests and one of the men of heroin in Sydney concealed in a n The Australian Taxation Office 14 October 1998 received a life sentence for his part in consignment of commercial kitchen passed an investigation to the AFP the drug smuggling. equipment imported from China. into allegations of fraud against the n Operation Linnet was a land and 20 June 1998 Commonwealth. Operation Percolate sea operation off Port Macquarie 1 August 1998 found that a Sydney manager of a that resulted in 390kg of heroin n The Prime Minister, John Howard, n A man was arrested in Rockhampton, group of companies had defrauded the being seized, 18 arrests and the launched CrimTrac, at a cost of as a result of Operation Bonsai, for ATO of $6.8 million over three years. confiscation of a 40-metre freighter, $50 million which included new Belize-registered, possession of four statuettes containing He was sentenced to eight years in Uniana. The vessel fingerprint technology and a National had sailed from South-East Asia and 7.159kg of heroin sent from Macau. prison. Criminal Investigation DNA Database. dropped anchor 20 nautical miles off Australian forensic laboratories agreed A drug detection dog reacted to the n Operation Odessa was a combined the NSW coast, near the township of to a national standard for obtaining parcel and the heroin was discovered. AFP and ATO investigation into a Port Macquarie. AFP, Customs, Navy DNA profiles. 15 August 1998 $3.5 million tax fraud by the Manager and NSW Police pounced when a and Director of a construction company 7 July 1998 smaller off-load vessel headed for the n Italy’s most wanted criminal, Giovanni and his wife. He was sentenced to 18 shore and landed at Grants Beach. n Operation Nimble resulted in 40 search Farina, was arrested by AFP federal months in prison. She was given a one Approximately 390kg of heroin was warrants being obtained for premises agents and extradited to Italy. year suspended sentence. found in 31 sports bags hidden in

116 AFP TIME LINE

1998

the hold. AFP and Customs Officers 7 December 1998 boarded the Uniana and arrested the n Operation Gentle was an 11-month crew members. A total of 18 men were joint AFP–Customs operation arrested. The Uniana was impounded resulting in the largest seizure of and later sold. The captain was cocaine to date in Australia. It took sentenced to life imprisonment place on a beach near Coffs Harbour and three others received prison and led to the seizure of almost sentences of 24 years. 225kg of cocaine hidden in the runabout of an 18-metre Venezuelan n Operation Polecat was an investigation ketch. Four people were arrested. They 2 December 1998: Operation Scythe was a joint operation between the AFP and the into the importation of more than 300 were sentenced to life imprisonment. Australian Fisheries Management Authority into compliance with fishing quotas. packages containing 35kg of ecstasy The boat is now held in the AFP – AFP Museum Collection through the mail from Belgium. Museum’s collection. 18 October 1998 n In two separate incidences in the 11 November 1998 2 December 1998 far north of WA, nine Indonesian n Operation Chandelier concerned n n Operation Caspian began when a fishermen were arrested for people a consignment consisting of two Mexico’s most wanted criminal, Carlos Cabal Peniche, was arrested in postal bomb exploded in the ACT’s smuggling. They had been paid to water pumps arriving from France bring eight people from Bangladesh to Melbourne by AFP officers. He was Fyshwick Mail Centre. The centre was addressed to a business premises evacuated and a further 21 postal Ashmore Reef. One boat sank and the extradited to Mexico. in the Sydney area. A Customs bombs identified. Another six devices other was confiscated. inspection revealed 17.2kg of reached their destinations in the n Operation Coolibah resulted in the Also in December 1998 ecstasy concealed within the pumps. sentencing of a man to 10 years in eastern States without detonation. A controlled operation resulted in n prison for importing 1.2kg of heroin A Canberra-based man was arrested Operation Toboggan involved a the arrest of a South African–Italian four days after the discovery of the controlled operation in the Sydney hidden in the bottom of his suitcase. citizen and an Israeli citizen. The bombs. area and resulted in three arrests and approximately 23kg of heroin South African man was later n Operation Birthday involved officers n Operation Scythe was a joint sentenced to 13 years in prison. from AFP Townsville, Immigration, seized. The operation began when the operation between the AFP and the Islamabad AFP liaison officer received n Operation Lingo began after searches Queensland Police, the ATO, Australian Fisheries Management information regarding heroin imported by Customs located two parcels from Centrelink and the DPP and resulted Authority into compliance with fishing from Pakistan into Sydney. Indonesia containing MDMA and in a large number of unlawful non- quotas. methylamphetamine concealed in citizens being arrested, and others n Operation Tensor involved the packets of Indonesian cigarettes. Two being charged with employing them importation of 200 ecstasy tablets Indonesian students were charged and the subsequent fraud upon through the Perth Mail Exchange. Two with importing offences. Centrelink and the ATO. men were arrested.

117 23 March 1999 n The arrest of a Canadian citizen who AFP TIME LINE was alleged to have been involved in a major heroin importation into Australia was announced. Officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police 1999 (RCMP) in Vancouver also arrested the Chinese-born Canadian citizen. AFP investigators alleged the man had been a key player in the importation of 48kg of heroin through Geraldton, WA in September 1994. This importation was the largest heroin seizure ever made in Western Australia. The arrest was 11 January 1999 the culmination of almost five years of intensive investigation by members of n A man was extradited to Australia from the AFP and RCMP. The Netherlands. He was regarded as the principal of the failed import of 10 Also in March 1999 tonnes of cannabis resin seized under n Operation Alyssum, a joint AFP, NCA, Operation Cyclops. At the time, this Queensland Police and Customs was the largest seizure of cannabis in investigation, traced the supplier of Australia. cannabis to a group operating in north n A Sydney man was arrested for Queensland and the Gold Coast. Four attempting to import 649.5 grams of people were arrested. cocaine. He was sentenced to nine 17 May 1999: Operation Bronte involved the AFP and Customs boarding the coastal 2 April 1999 years in prison. Also part of Operation freighter, the Kayuen at Port Kembla. This was one of several large-scale, people smuggling Walkman, another man was convicted attempts that took place around Australia in 1999 with 69 illegal immigrants found on the n The Beijing liaison post opened. vessel. – AFP Museum Collection for the importation of 1075 grams 17 May 1999 of cocaine and received a seven-year Also in January 1999 couriers, suspected of working for n Operation Bronte was a month-long sentence. His father was already the same syndicate, arrived carrying n A joint operation by the AFP and the joint operation involving the AFP serving a 12-year sentence on drug- 18,000 tablets. All five were charged Australian Taxation Office, Operation and Customs on the south coast of related charges. with importing and possessing a Maraca, led to the arrest of a Gold NSW when the coastal freighter, the prohibited import. 18 January 1999 Coast man in relation to 34 counts Kayuen, was boarded at Port Kembla and revealed a cargo of 69 illegal n of defrauding the Commonwealth. 15 February 1999 A joint agency operation involving the immigrants. This was one of several WA Police, the AFP, Customs and the He received a three year sentence. n The 59th Contingent left for large-scale, people smuggling attempts NCA resulted in the seizure of 294 The operation involved the peacekeeping duties in Cyprus, the that took place around Australia in grams of heroin and the arrest of a complete dismantling of a pyramid 35th year of Australia’s involvement 1999. An Australian man was charged Vietnamese man. structure designed to defraud the with conspiring with others to take Commonwealth. More than 50 there. 29 January 1999 part in the illegal immigration of non- people were known to have joined the 22 March 1999 citizens to Australia and was sentenced n Operation Magnetic began when scheme. to 12 years in prison. n The AFP’s largest recruit course a British citizen arrived at Brisbane 4 February 1999 International Airport from Bangkok. A since 1984 began studies at the Also in May 1999 Customs search located four wooden n Operation Novella began when three AFP College. The majority of the 55 n A German man living in Peru was found wall hangings containing 14.4kg of Singaporeans arrived at Perth airport men and 31 women had tertiary with 4kg of cocaine strapped to his heroin. A controlled operation at a wearing body packs that concealed qualifications and many spoke a waist, thighs and calves on a flight from Sydney hotel resulted in one arrest. 23,000 ecstasy tablets. Two other second language. Argentina to Sydney. He was selected

118 9 November 1999 n AFP employees endorsed the conditions AFP TIME LINE set out in a new Certified Agreement. n Operation Sack was an ACT Policing initiative aimed at decommissioning 1999 a major drug laboratory used to mass produce ecstasy within the ACT borders. n The AFP and NCA conducted a fourteen month investigation, Operation Djura, into Southeast Asian organised crime. The operation resulted in the seizure of 124kg of MDMA and the arrest of six for a Customs search as part of Operation 13 August 1999 Also in October 1999 people in Sydney and one in Brisbane. Hibachi. He was sentenced to eight years 23 November 1999 in prison and a South American man was n A group of 125 suspected illegal n Operation Gantry supplied information also charged with attempting to possess immigrants arrived at . to the New Zealand Police in relation n The AFP conducted its first Gay and the cocaine. The group, which included seven women to financial transactions. NZ Police Lesbian Contact Officer Course, with the assistance of NSW Police. 21 June 1999 and five children, arrived aboard a 30- arrested three men and charged them metre Indonesian-style fishing vessel. with importation of drugs, possession, 30 November 1999 n The first 15 of 50 AFP members conspiracy to supply and manufacture left Darwin to join a United Nations n The AFP Act was amended to enable n SAC-PAV Exercise Blue Ring was the first contingent to assist Indonesian Police drugs. The principal was sentenced to compulsory drug testing of all AFP national counter terrorist exercise that during polls on the future of East Timor. four years in prison had AFP involvement specifically written personnel. into the objectives. Also in June 1999 n Couriers concealing 13kg of Also in August 1999 n Commissioner Palmer and the Interpol amphetamines in body packs arrived in n Operations Mungite, Rhapsody and General Secretary, Ray Kendall, signed n A US man was arrested during Operation Perth on a flight from Jakarta. Operation Appaloosa were ACT Policing operations into different areas of the drug problem: an MoU to use the AFP’s IT services to Illinois for his involvement in the Caravel led to the arrest of three people. implement the Interpol South Pacific Mungite involved a joint operation with importation of 3kg of cocaine, which Modernisation Project. 8 November 1999 NSW Police to combat cross-border trade had been concealed by suspending it in heroin and amphetamines; Rhapsody 1 July 1999 in a cask of wine, and for laundering n A joint operation, Operation Figbird, targeted a local heroin network; and n A full-time Chaplain was appointed to the $US40,000 which was the proceeds for involving Customs, the AFP and the Appaloosa focused on street-related drug AFP to provide spiritual welfare to AFP the sale of the drugs. Joint Asian Crime Group (JACG) found crime. As a result of these operations 28 people were arrested, cash worth members and their families. 219kg of heroin in containerised cargo 14 September 1999 $37,000 was seized along with firearms 11 July 1999 that arrived in Sydney from Indonesia. and drugs and $90,000 worth of stolen n The container had been identified for n A 75-year old man was arrested at Militia unrest led to the staged property was recovered. evacuation of all AFP personnel from East examination by Customs intelligence Parliament House after he drove his Also in November 1999 vehicle through the front doors and threw Timor, even though the East Timorese analysts, working in consultation with two improvised bombs. voted overwhelmingly in favour of JACG investigators, who had been n Operation Chronicle was conceived as a full-scale attack by ACT Policing on Also in July 1999 independence. targeting people connected with property-related crimes. Police laid 237 the importation of an earlier suspect n Operation Parthian resulted in the arrest 19 October 1999 charges across a range of offences of four people for their involvement in container. JACG officers charged two that included burglary, theft, unlawful the importation of 500 grams of cocaine n The AFP marked its 20th anniversary in men with being knowingly concerned in possession and the possession of from Uruguay. Australian federal law enforcement. the importation of heroin. prohibited substances.

119 16 grams of amphetamine. The boat was confirmed as stolen. AFP TIME LINE Also in February 2000 n A Thai man was charged in Melbourne following the discovery of 1.3kg of heroin concealed inside a tombstone 2000 imported from Thailand. Federal agents launched their investigation following positive responses from Customs drug detector dogs at Melbourne Airport. The man was sentenced to six years in prison. 10 March 2000 11 January 2000 n A Sydney man was charged with n Operation Opus resulted in the seizure conspiracy to import 50kg of cocaine of 76.4kg of ecstasy tablets, 9.041kg from Chile and sentenced to 20 years of MDMA powder and 9.117kg of in prison. He was the principal target cocaine from The Netherlands. The of Operation Dial, a joint operation drugs were concealed in a container of with the AFP, NCA and the NSW Crime farming equipment arriving in Brisbane Commission. via Malaysia. They were estimated to October 2000: Operation Logrunner was an international operation which netted a 357kg Also in March 2000 have a street value of $26.4 million. heroin stockpile in Fiji in October 2000. The AFP played a significant role in an international law enforcement effort.– AFP Museum Collection n A new policing arrangement was n The refurbishment of the forensic signed with the ACT Government as a laboratories at Weston was completed. in Melbourne, concealed inside seven 28 February 2000 result of a review into ACT Community 21 January 2000 rolls of florist paper. Two men received Policing Services. n AFP and Customs began a joint prison sentences of 25 and 30 years. 19 April 2000 n A shipment of black cocaine from operation, Operation Octavo, which Brazil was intercepted at Sydney 1 February 2000 led to the arrest of a Nigerian man in n Thirty AFP officers took part in a Airport disguised as organic fertilizer Perth and 440 grams of heroin being welcome-home parade in Sydney for n During Operation Shard, AFP and in Operation Cabaret. The principal seized from a locker at his work place. those who had served in East Timor. Customs officers intercepted 500kg of involved in the importation was Important information was gathered sentenced to 15 years in prison. cocaine in a raid on a yacht, Ngaire Wha, Also in April 2000 at Patonga Beach. Seven people were on a Nigerian/South African syndicate n 24 January 2000 arrested and two yachts seized. Two of involved in the worldwide distribution Public complaints about the theft of mail led to the arrest of an Australia the principals received life sentences. of heroin. n The Rangoon liaison post opened. Post employee who worked at the 29 February 2000 n Additional government funding was 23 February 2000 South Parcel Centre in Kingsgrove, n Sydney. A search of his home revealed given to the AFP to assist in the Sydney n A new hotel opened in the revamped Staff at a watercraft-inspection Olympics security operation. The company became suspicious of a man goods to the value of $200,000 and Jolimont Centre in Canberra, which included computer equipment, CD explosive residue detection capabilities had been the location of the ACT Police after they observed that identification of AFP Forensic Services were plates had been removed from his boat. players, watches, sunglasses, clothing, Headquarters for many years. Acting significantly enhanced in time for the He was later arrested and a search cameras and $6000 in cash. Two vans on research by the AFP Museum, the Olympics. of his car revealed over $22,000 were needed to remove all the items hotel’s main function rooms were in genuine and fake currency, blank from his unit. Also in January 2000 named Cook, Clarke, Jones, Reid and cheques, mobile phones, Armani jeans, Richards after police officers from the n The Joint Asian Crime Group’s n Versace trousers and shirts, antique In Operation Bott, intelligence early days of ACT policing. Operation Sparkler/Gem led to the information from Dutch authorities and current coins, 90 ecstasy tablets, arrest of a Sydney man who was one led to the seizure of 50kg of MDMA 90 LSD tabs, 42 grams of heroin and of Australia’s most notorious heroin

120 AFP TIME LINE

2000

importers. He was sentenced to 40 Mender. Subsequently, 16 other In June 2000 traffickers led to the arrest of three men years in prison. He was arrested with people were arrested. and the seizure of 3.5kg of heroin from n ACT Policing mounted Operation Oslo seven other members of a heroin- a vehicle in Sydney. to cut the number of stolen motor importing syndicate when 19kg of Also in May 2000 vehicles and the theft of valuables from heroin were found in air cargo from Also in July 2000 n An unemployed man appeared in a cars. Reports of stolen cars dropped by Hong Kong. $2 million in assets were n Sydney court charged with defrauding 21 per cent over the five day period of Greek artefacts, including urns, jugs, also seized. Centrelink by claiming Newstart the operation. Operation Dilute moved pots and religious icons, dating from 400-2500 BC, were returned to n Operation Greenfinch, a Joint Asian allowances under 24 different names. into a second, longer-term phase and their homeland at the conclusion of Crime Group and AFP Avian Strike He was amassing $7300 per fortnight resulted in the arrest of 275 people Operation Sussex. Team resulted in the seizure of 14kg of in fraudulent claims before he was who were charged with 890 offences, heroin from a taxi and the arrest of one arrested in Operation Manor. and netted about $125,000 in seized n The defendant in Operation Brazil man. property. was found guilty of importing 10.3kg n Operation Montego led to the seizure of heroin, concealed in four stone 12 May 2000 n A bulk carrier of 39,400 tonnes, the of 96.59kg of cocaine in a joint AFP, columns shipped from Hong Kong to Customs and Queensland Police Star Sea Bridge, collided with, and n A joint operation, Operation Silver Eye, sank a fishing trawler,Sue M. off the his Sydney home. operation acting on information from between Customs and the AFP resulted NSW coast. The skipper of the trawler US Customs. The cocaine was brought 14 August 2000 in the seizure of 28kg of cocaine and drowned but his son was rescued 24 the arrest of five men in Sydney. The from Colombia via New Caledonia hours after the collision. The master of n The Minister for Justice and Customs, drugs were concealed in an industrial to Australia on the yacht Sparkles the carrier was fined $1500. Senator Amanda Vanstone, opened the autoclave imported from Panama. Plenty and had an estimated value of AFP’s new Forensic Centre at Weston. $22.5 million. The operation resulted in n Operation Currawong involved the 23 May 2000 the identification and seizure of assets in AFP’s Avian Strike Team and the Royal 17 August 2000 Hong Kong Police and led to the n Operation Stanchion led to the arrest Australia and the US. An offender was n 317kg of cocaine was found hidden seizure of 20kg of ice and the arrest of two men who had been involved extradited from the US to Australia to in five plastic drums when members of two significant drug traffickers. The in the importation of 16kg of MDMA face charges. of the AFP, NCA, Customs and South drugs were seized by the Hong Kong in Broome. Three couriers were later Australian Police raided a unit in Police after they had observed five arrested in Perth and another in Alice n The ATO referred an alleged organised Adelaide. packages being placed in a shipping Springs. Two further arrests were made taxation fraud to the AFP. Over the container destined for Australia. in Sydney. One man received a 16 year next 18 months Operation Emporium Also in August 2000 prison sentence. investigated hundreds of individual tax 3 July 2000 n An international drug syndicate based returns fraudulently attempting to claim in Rome was dismantled, 5.5 tonnes of 26 May 2000 n The Bogotá liaison post opened. a total of $2 million. Seven men, already cocaine seized and 15 search warrants n AFP and WA Police assisted in the in the WA prison system, were charged n A three month investigation by the were executed in Adelaide, Mildura and arrest of two men and the seizure of with submitting tax returns claiming AFP Avian Strike Team I, in Operation Melbourne following a joint operation, 525 grams of heroin in Operation refunds for credits they had fabricated. Bushlark, into a syndicate of drug Operation Hellenic, by the AFP, Italian

121 AFP TIME LINE

2000

Carabinieri, South Australian Police and 21 December 2000 Customs. n A Joint Asian Crime Group operation, n Operation Attica was the code name Operation Octad, resulted in the seizure of 79kg of ice and 184kg of heroin given to the AFP’s Olympic planning. found in two containers of plastic While overall responsibility for security modular storage units sent from China. of the Olympic Games rested with Two men were arrested in Sydney and 21 December 2000: A Joint Asian Crime Group operation, Operation Octad, resulted in the NSW Police, the AFP made a a third in Hong Kong. The principal the seizure of 79kg of ice and 184kg of heroin found in two containers of plastic modular received a life sentence. significant contribution to the success storage units sent from China. – AFP Museum Collection of the Games. 26 December 2000 n Federal agents in Melbourne 4 September 2000 9 November 2000 Ministry of Justice. The principal was investigated the sale of cricket bats and originally sentenced to 12 years in n n Ten AFP members joined the wall plaques featuring the signatures ACT Policing’s new Mounted Police prison, but after escaping from Bunbury Squad began with two ACT mounted International Peacekeeping Team sent and photographs of Sir Donald to the Solomon Islands to establish a Regional Prison on 5 April 2002, he Bradman. While his signatures were police members and horses, Platoon ceasefire. was later apprehended and received thought to be genuine, they had been and Joseph, after they had all received extra prison time. attached to memorabilia without the 17 November 2000 four weeks specialised training at the n The Port Vila liaison post opened. approval of the Bradman Foundation NSW Police Academy at Goulburn. n The Hague liaison post opened. and were therefore in breach of the n Operation Miner commenced in Perth. Trade Mark Act. 19 October 2000 22 November 2000 It was an investigation into a narcotics Also in December 2000 importation syndicate operating n A four month investigation, involving n Operation Frogmouth resulted in the seizure of 105.5kg of MDMA (worth between Indonesia and Perth. Four n A joint international operation involving extensive surveillance during Operation $13.5 million) when Customs officers Indonesian people were subsequently the AFP and Dutch law enforcement Plexor, led to the arrest of four men and found 217,000 tablets hidden in 940 arrested and 2.3kg of ice was seized. agencies successfully foiled the the seizure of 15kg of MDMA tablets, cases of French wine. Two men were One man was sentenced to 14 years in importation of 3000kg of cannabis, 200,000 MDMA tablets, 100kg of arrested. prison. $80,000 in cash, two pistols and one cannabis resin, nine firearms with SKS assault rifle Also in November 2000 4 December 2000 ammunition and a large amount of cash. Operation Redwing resulted in n Also in October 2000 n Three men were arrested in Perth for Four Indonesian crew members of the search of 57 premises in Holland importing 2kg of ecstasy and cocaine the vessel J.M. Terapung Indah were and the arrest of 30 people. n Operation Logrunner was an from Bali using body packs. Operation arrested and charged in connection international operation which netted Catskill was a joint investigation with the transportation of 96 illegal 357kg of heroin stockpiled in Fiji. between the AFP, WA Police and the immigrants into Australia.

122 AFP TIME LINE

2001

27 January 2001 records and more than 180,000 latent n Sir Colin Woods, the AFP’s inaugural prints from unsolved crimes. commissioner, died in his sleep n The CrimTrac National Criminal aged 80. Investigation DNA Database (NCIDD) 28 January 2001 was officially launched. n ACT Policing investigated the deaths n A former Sydney high school teacher of four people in a plane crash near 3 May 2001: AFP, Customs officers and Queensland Police seized 96.59kg of cocaine was sentenced to 25 years in prison Canberra Airport. The single-engine from a yacht, Sparkles Plenty, moored near Moreton Island. The street value of the haul was for the importation of cocaine, Beechcraft Bonanza was heading $22.5 million. – AFP Museum Collection conspiring to supply cocaine and towards Tumut. money laundering. Operation Pigment also netted a number of other people 30 January 2001 in Australia and the US, including his n Senator Chris Ellison was appointed associate, who was sentenced to 18 Federal Minister for Justice and years in prison. Customs. 21 February 2001 n A joint AFP–NSW Police investigation, n Federal agents in Melbourne Operation Gymea, led to the seizure of intercepted a truck carrying 82 34kg of MDMA tablets hidden inside bales of tobacco, weighing 100kg a consignment of computer monitors each, transported from Mareeba from Malaysia. Two men were arrested. in Queensland. The tobacco was 15 February 2001 destined for the black market and n AFP’s Gold Coast office opened at would have avoided excise payment Robina. The $4 million office houses a of $2.1 million. Operation Backhoe core investigation team, a national drug resulted in the arrest of two men. strike team and support staff. Also in February 2001 n The National Automated Fingerprint n Operation Skeet was publicly launched Identification System (NAFIS) was by ACT Policing to crack down on commissioned as part of the CrimTrac the manufacture, supply and use of initiative. It uses digital and laser designer drugs in the ACT. technology to scan fingerprints and palms into a searchable national 27 July 2001: Operation Feria in Western Australia resulted in the seizure of 938kg of cocaine 14 March 2001 database. It started with 2.4 million ‘ten from the US registered vessel, White Dove, moored at Dulverton Bay, 700km north of Perth. n Commissioner Palmer retired after print’ records, 4.8 million palm print Analysis revealed that 707kg of the haul was pure cocaine. – AFP Museum Collection 34 years in policing. He was the first

123 AFP TIME LINE

2001

Australian to be appointed to the cocaine from the US-registered vessel, Executive Board of Interpol. White Dove, moored at Dulverton Bay, 700km north of Perth. Analysis 23 March 2001 revealed that 707kg of the haul was n A Sydney man was given a pure cocaine. Two US citizens and suspended 12‑month prison sentence three Colombians were arrested. for possessing and supplying a commercial quantity of kava. The man Also in July 2001 August 2001: Operation Bluewing resulted in a 3 tonne seizure of hashish in Melbourne by was apprehended during Operation n Operation Wahoo seized more than the AFP, assisted by the Dubai Police. – AFP Museum Collection Indus, a joint operation by AFP, 300kg of amphetamines and ice from Customs, NT Police, ATO and the NT a yacht moored at Mooloolaba. Two Department of Industries and Business people were arrested. into alleged defrauding of the ATO. Australian and a Hong Kong man were n The AFP computer system, AFP NET, In August 2001 arrested. Both were sentenced to 12 was connected to all overseas posts Also in March 2001 n Operation Bluewing resulted in years in prison. allowing Overseas Liaison Officers to n Operation Tourney was an investigation a 3 tonne seizure of hashish in access operations on PROMIS. into the Australian-based syndicate of 2 April 2001 Melbourne by the AFP, assisted by the Nigerians who imported 400 grams of n Mick Keelty was sworn in as the AFP’s n Operation Everglade was an Dubai Police. investigation into the importation of heroin and 2.5kg of cocaine. Two men fifth Commissioner, becoming the first n Operation Targus was an investigation cocaine into Australia from Costa Rica. were arrested. Commissioner to have risen through into the money-laundering activities of A man was arrested in Melbourne the ranks of the AFP. He began his a Colombian man and his associates. n Operation Pataka commenced but failed to appear at the Supreme when Customs officers in Sydney police career in the ACT Police in Members of the syndicate had 1974. Court trial. An off-duty AFP member targeted a shipping container from recognised the man on a beach at exchanged large amounts of Australian China, containing 985 cartons of 3 May 2001 Noosa and arranged for him to be currency, possibly proceeds of drug sales, for US$100 notes, which were tinned pineapple. They found 131kg n AFP, Customs officers and Queensland arrested and extradited to Victoria to then couriered out of the country. of MDMA and 15kg of heroin in 96 Police seized 96.59kg of cocaine from face the court. tins among the 5908 tin shipment. a yacht, Sparkles Plenty, moored near 14 August 2001 The street value was estimated 30 June 2001 Moreton Island. The street value of the n The AFP seized 3,025kg of cannabis at $34 million. The principal was n The Nicosia liaison post closed. haul was $22.5 million. resin concealed in two shipping sentenced to 14 years in prison for his 1 July 2001 involvement. In June 2001 containers packed with marble n The Phnom Penh and Beirut liaison tiles found on board the vessel Mol n n Operation Anchorage led to a The Joint Asian Crime Group’s posts opened. Waratah. Operation Wedgebill was an downward trend in burglaries in the investigation into the heroin trafficking ACT by 34 per cent over an eight-week 27 July 2001 26 August 2001 activities of a group in Sydney. Ten period and 130 people were arrested n Operation Feria in Western Australia n A Norwegian container vessel, the blocks of heroin were found and an for burglary or receiving stolen property. resulted in the seizure of 938kg of MV Tampa, responded to an Australian

124 AFP TIME LINE

2001

Search and Rescue broadcast concerning a vessel in distress. It diverted from its course and rescued 434 people from the KM Palapa I, 1 November 2001 which was foundering 140km north n The Honiara liaison post opened. of Christmas Island. Operation Gilgai Also in November 2001 was the AFP investigation into the n The Joint Asian Crime Group’s Indonesian fishing vessel crew who 24 September 2001: Operation Pittsburgh resulted in the arrest of three men in Perth for Operation Hebrides led to searches of had brought the illegal immigrants to possession of a traffickable quantity of ecstasy concealed inside a soft toy duck imported from a number of Sydney premises. MDMA Australia. Two men received prison Indonesia. One of the men was sentenced to seven years in prison. – Courtesy of Australian weighing 230 grams, a small amount sentences of four and seven years. Customs and Border Protection Service. of heroin, jewellery, credit cards and money were seized and three people 6 September 2001 24 September 2001 n Forty men and women began training were arrested. n A joint AFP, NCA and Customs n Operation Pittsburgh resulted in for the ACT Policing Volunteers’ investigation led to the arrest of the arrest of three men in Perth for Program. the principals of a Melbourne duty possession of a trafficable quantity n The AFP received information that a free company for their avoidance of of ecstasy concealed inside a soft toy approximately $20 million tax on duck imported from Indonesia. One of vessel (later known as SIEV X) carrying 110 million cigarettes. the men was sentenced to seven years a large number of illegal immigrants in prison. from Indonesia to Australia, had 11 September 2001 sunk with a loss of 353 lives. An n The World Trade Centre in New York, 28 September 2001 investigation led to the arrest of three and the Pentagon in Washington n Commissioner Keelty unveiled a people in June 2002 with a further were attacked by terrorists. Australian Police Memorial at the AFP College arrest in December. Government agencies, including the to commemorate police officers killed AFP, conducted a coordinated response while on duty. Research provided by n Operation Kevlar started when US with measures to protect the country’s the AFP Museum found that one Peace Customs officers detected cocaine in interests. Officer Guard, one Commonwealth two packages at the Miami Foreign Police Officer, two Australian Capital 12 September 2001 Mail Facility that were addressed Territory Police and four AFP officers to commercial premises in Sydney. n The AFP’s first Staff Opinion Analysis had died on duty. and Review was held. The aim of The packages had been sent from St the report was to raise employee In October 2001 Vincent in the Caribbean. Three men morale, motivation, communication, n Operation Affcot, the joint NCA-AFP were arrested in connection with this productivity and retention by giving operation resulted in the seizure of crime. One received an eight year staff a forum to express their opinions. 150kg of amphetamines in Sydney. prison sentence.

125 15 March 2002 n Customs officers found 380kg of heroin concealed in packaged rice AFP TIME LINE noodles being imported from China. In a joint operation with the AFP, Operation Tabula, 240 cardboard cartons were X-rayed by Customs cargo 2002 targeting specialists who found that 27 of them contained heroin. Three people were arrested in Brisbane. 31 March 2002 n Janelle Patton was the first person to be murdered on Norfolk Island in more than 150 years. AFP officers 2–5 March 2002 conducted the investigation and n The Commonwealth Heads of collected 1258 sets of fingerprints Government (CHOGM) meeting was in a massive voluntary fingerprinting held at Coolum with the AFP assisting program of residents for comparison the Queensland Police with security. and elimination. Investigations into 15 March 2002: Customs officers found 380kg of heroin concealed in packaged rice Ms Patton’s murder led to the arrest of 9 March 2002 noodles being imported from China. In a joint operation with the AFP, Operation Tabula, a man in February 2006. n The body of a young woman, Kathryn 240 cardboard cartons were X-rayed by Customs cargo targeting specialists who found that 27 cartons contained heroin. Three people were arrested in Brisbane. – Courtesy of 18 April 2002 Grosvenor, was found in Lake Burley Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. n The AFP arrested five men in Griffin, Canberra. Operation Mersey connection with the importation of led to the reward of $100,000 being 12kg of cocaine into Australia. As offered for information into her death. a result of Operation Natant, a joint Her murder remains unsolved. operation between the AFP, Brazilian Federal Police and the Indonesian n The Australian Bomb Data Centre and National Police (INP), four more people Computer Forensic joined AFP Forensic were arrested in Brazil. Services at Weston. n Operation Caboolture, an investigation 13 March 2002 into a Sydney-based syndicate involved in the importation of narcotics through n The Proceeds of Crime Amendment the international freight courier system, Bill 2002 was introduced in Federal resulted in the arrest of eight people for Parliament as part of the Government importation of 1.4kg of heroin. initiative in the fight against terrorism Also in April 2002 and organised crime. The Bill allowed n In April 2002, Commissioner Mick courts to freeze and confiscate Keelty launched the new vision assets where the Director of Public statement for the Australian Federal Prosecutions can prove that ‘on the Police – balance of probability’ a person had To fight crime together and win. engaged in serious criminal activity in Commissioner Keelty noted that the previous six years. No conviction 31 March 2002: Janelle Patton was the first person to be murdered on Norfolk Island in more than 150 years. AFP officers conducted the investigation and collected 1258 sets of including the word ‘together’ in the is required before the confiscation of new vision statement highlighted the assets. New provisions also prevented fingerprints in a massive voluntary fingerprinting program of residents for comparison and elimination. Investigations into Ms Patton’s murder led to the arrest of a man in February AFP’s cooperative approach to law criminals from selling their story to the 2006.– AFP Museum Collection. enforcement partnerships in an effort media for profit. to fight crime more effectively.

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2002

n The AFP provided a Forensic Services Special Projects Coordinator to assist in the establishment of the Mauritius Forensic Science Laboratory. The aim was to provide forensic science 20 May 2002 accreditation to international standards. n East Timor celebrated its first n Operation Zeal was the first operation Independence Day. involving AFP and APS members since the APS had become an operating 13 June 2002 division of the AFP. The operation was n Commissioner Keelty and Police also run in conjunction with the NT General Da’I Bachtiar of the INP signed Police and focused on the security a Memorandum of Understanding requirements at Pine Gap during an anti- to strengthen ties between the two war protest. organisations. 12 October 2002: Three bombs exploded in Bali, resulting in the deaths of 202 people, 28 October 2002 Also in June 2002 including 88 Australians. The terrorist bombings at the Sari Club, Paddy’s Bar and at Renon n Operation Halite, an intelligence-led resulted in the largest investigation ever undertaken by the Indonesian National Police, campaign to reduce property crime in n Operation Locarno, an investigation who invited the AFP to assist. The AFP assistance was called Operation Alliance with AFP the ACT, resulted in a 25 per cent drop into the activities of a Gold Coast-based Forensic Services playing a major role with explosive residue analysis and DNA profiling. over six months. The operation resulted syndicate involved in the importation – AFP Museum Collection in the average weekly burglary rate and distribution of heroin and MDMA, dropping from 143 to 109. resulted in the arrest of the two a result of information received by WA Forensic Services playing a major role principals. They were sentenced to six Police Crimestoppers. with explosive residue analysis and DNA In November 2002 and nine years in prison. profiling. Various members of Jemaah n Operation Pekoe, a joint investigation September 2002 by the AFP and NSW Police into drug 1 July 2002 Islamiyah, a violent Islamist group, were n An operation coordinated in The Hague convicted in relation to the bombings, trafficking, resulted in the seizure of n TheAustralian Protective Service by the AFP’s Liaison Officer stationed including three individuals who were 50kg of MDMA tablets with a street became an operating division following value of $12 million and led to the there resulted in the seizure of 11kg sentenced to death. the passing of the Australian Protective of MDMA tablets in a consignment of arrest of two people. Service Amendment Bill 2002, in order 19 October 2002 paintings. Operation Gyrus led to the 11 December 2002 to enhance Australia’s counter terrorism arrest of three Dutch men. n TheWomen and Policing Globally 2002 n The AFP’s Transnational Crime measures in response to the September Conference was hosted by the AFP in 12 October 2002 Coordination Centre opened in 11 terrorist attacks in the US. Canberra and attracted 660 delegates n Canberra. Three bombs exploded in Bali, resulting from 49 countries. In August 2002 in the deaths of 202 people, including 24 December 2002 Also in October 2002 n A man was sentenced to 10 years in 88 Australians. The terrorist bombings at n A joint task force of the AFP, NSW prison for defrauding the ATO of more the Sari Club, Paddy’s Bar and at Renon n Operation Mondo, an investigation into Police and the NSW Crime Commission than $1 million while he was working resulted in the largest investigation ever a $2.1 million tax fraud, began when led to the seizure of 235kg of MDMA as an accountant and tax agent in undertaken by the INP, who invited the the ATO referred 170 suspect taxation in Sydney. The street value was Geraldton. Operation Transvaal was a AFP to assist. The AFP assistance was returns to the AFP. Six people were estimated to be $45 million and three joint AFP–ATO operation that started as called Operation Alliance with AFP charged. men were charged.

127 In March 2003 n Operation Leman resulted in two AFP TIME LINE Vietnamese men being charged with attempting to import a consignment of 24kg of heroin concealed in fish paste. The heroin was found in 10 boxes that 2003 were part of a 358 box consignment from Cambodia. The men were sentenced to seven years in prison. n Operation Fordo resulted in the arrest of three men for their involvement in a $17.5 million fraud over unpaid taxes in cigarettes and alcohol. 1 January 2003 16 April 2003 n The Australian Crime Commission n Operation Sorbet recovered 50kg of began operations. heroin (worth $164 million), which had 18 January 2003 been landed off the coast near Lorne. The seizure led to the armed boarding n A firestorm hit Canberra killing four of the vessel Pong Su and the arrest of people and destroying 500 houses. 34 people. Police and Emergency Services 18 January 2003: A firestorm hit Canberra killing four people and destroying 500 houses. conducted evacuation operations. Police and Emergency Services conducted evacuation operations. The AFP’s firing range at Also in April 2003 Weston was totally destroyed in the fire. – AFP Museum Collection The AFP’s firing range at Weston was n In Sydney, Operation Arcadia resulted destroyed in the fire. in the seizure of 157kg of ecstasy concealed in crates imported from 28 January 2003 Germany. A controlled delivery led to n An oil slick 100km long and one the arrest of three men. nautical mile wide was found by Great n Operation Taglia involved the discovery Barrier Reef Marine Park officers near of 170kg of MDMA powder concealed the Whitsunday Islands. The Russian in a shipment of freezing equipment. Captain of the vessel, Pacific Quest, was charged following an investigation 2 May 2003 by the AFP. n The AFP and Customs cooperated in 6 February 2003 Operation Jabot to seize a shipment of 223kg of ice with an estimated n MDMA powder weighing 135.2kg value of $112 million. The drug was was intercepted in shipping cargo from concealed in a container of rice sticks Rotterdam during Operation Serval. imported from Guangzhou Province Tablets and powder with a street in China to Port Botany. The following value of $20 million were discovered day, 105kg of ice was found hidden in three shipping containers. A joint in boxes of brown sugar in a Sydney investigation by the AFP and Dutch apartment. Assets worth $830,000 Police led to the seizure of 2 tonnes of were also seized. cannabis resin in The Netherlands and the arrest of four men in Rotterdam. 12 May 2003 A further 4 tonnes of cannabis resin 16 April 2003: Operation Sorbet recovered 50kg of heroin (worth $164 million) that had n Trials began in Indonesia for those were identified in Morocco awaiting been landed off the coast near Lorne, Victoria. The seizure led to the armed boarding of the arrested in connection with the Bali shipment to Holland. vessel Pong Su and the arrest of 34 people. – AFP Museum Collection bombings.

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YEAR2003

6 June 2003 Commissioner Keelty. The exhibition n In Operation Kyanite, ACT Policing traced the Australian and international Detectives arrested a man in contributions to the Indonesian Police connection with the murder of investigation into the Bali bombings. an Isabella Plains woman. Anna Also in October 2003 Hardwick’s body was found in the n A former Australian intelligence officer bedroom of her home by family was convicted of espionage after members. 24 July 2003: The AFP component of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon removing classified material from the Islands (RAMSI) arrived in Honiara to begin Operation Helpem Fren. 9 June 2003 Defence Intelligence Organisation and – AFP Museum Collection passing it to another person. Operation n Federal agents recovered hundreds combating serious, complex and multi- 5 August 2003 Verdant led to him being sentenced to of Chinese fossils, including 1300 two-and-a-half years in prison. dinosaur eggs at three locations in jurisdictional high tech crimes. n Following an explosion outside the Perth. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta AFP Forensic n The National Counter Terrorism 11 July 2003 Services was invited to assist the INP Committee sponsored Operation Also in June 2003 n AFP officers in Operation Tennessee with the investigation. New Deal to give ACT Policing an n In Operation Serac the AFP’s arrested four people in Melbourne in opportunity to refine its counter 24 August 2003 Transnational Sexual Exploitation and connection with the sexual slavery of terrorism skills in conjunction with n Cocaine weighing 1.97kg was seized Trafficking Team charged two women six Thai women. other Australian Government and ACT during Operation Dulcet after Customs with a number of sexual servitude agencies. inspected an airfreight consignment offences involving a Thai woman. 24 July 2003 n The AFP component of the Regional in Sydney and found the drugs. Two 1 July 2003 men were arrested and three cars and Assistance Mission to the Solomon n $71,000 were seized. Commissioner Keelty was presented Islands (RAMSI) arrived in Honiara with the Bintang Bhayangkara Utama under the command of AFP Assistant 4 October 2003 Medal in Jakarta by the President n Operation Mannikin resulted in the of the Republic of Indonesia for his Commissioner Ben McDevitt, to begin Operation Helpem Fren. seizure of 860,000 tablets hidden “outstanding efforts in furthering in agricultural machinery. The street cooperation between the Indonesian Also in July 2003 value of the drugs was estimated to be National Police and the AFP”. n AFP and Customs officers seized $60 million. Six people were arrested n The New York liaison post opened. 115kg of ecstasy and arrested two in Sydney and another five in Belgium. 2 July 2003 men in a joint operation, Operation 19 October 2003 n The Australian High-Tech Crime Sennet, in Wollongong. The drugs had n The AFP Museum’s exhibition, Centre began operations to provide been concealed in a shipping container When the Roof Became Stars, a national coordinated approach to of industrial equipment. opened at Old Parliament House by

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2004

In January 2004 5 May 2004 n Operation Vivify was a joint operation n The AFP won the Gold Award and the between the AFP and Customs Large Business Award in the Australian resulting in the arrest of three men for Chamber of Commerce, Industry and the importation of 42.5kg of MDMA. Business Council of Australia’s National Some of the drugs were found in a Work and Family Awards for Excellence. refrigerated air cargo container. 7 September 2004: The first eight members of the AFP IDG arrived in Bougainville, PNG as Also in May 2004 In February 2004 part of the Enhanced Cooperation Program. – AFP Museum Collection n Australia was invited to assist British n The AFP’s International Deployment and Coalition police to train Iraqi police Group (IDG) was established. AFP members and interstate police in Jordan. Two AFP officers were personnel trained in Canberra before subsequently deployed near the capital joining the IDG pool for deployment city of Amman. on peacekeeping missions, regional n The Pacific Transnational Crime assistance missions and Law Coordination Centre opened in Suva Enforcement Cooperation Programs. and became the Pacific regional law More than 400 AFP staff (including enforcement intelligence centre for state police who were sworn in as AFP Transnational Crime Units in Fiji, Samoa, Special Members) deployed to Cyprus, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea Jordon, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, the and Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. n n Operation Logwood resulted in Operation Deva resulted in the significant arrests, seizures and dismantling of a clandestine intelligence gathering by ACT Policing. amphetamine laboratory in Suva as a Thirty-six arrests were made and result of cooperation between the AFP heroin, cannabis, ecstasy, steroids and and agencies from Fiji, New Zealand, hydroponic equipment seized. Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, the Philippines and the USA. In April 2004 n The AFP implemented the ‘Functional 1 July 2004 Model’, a new organisation structure n The APS was fully integrated and re- that focused on the AFP’s main 9 September 2004: Operation Bantu was set in place when a bomb exploded outside badged as AFP Protective Service. operational functions and provided a the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. A fully-equipped multi-disciplined team was ready for higher level of national coordination deployment to Jakarta within two hours of receiving notification of the incident. 4 July 2004 and support of operational areas. – AFP Museum Collection n The AFP’s liaison post in Bali opened.

130 AFP TIME LINE

2004

15 July 2004 AFP, Queensland Police and the Crime n The inaugural Commissioner’s Honours and Misconduct Commission. Four men and Awards were presented in the were arrested . Great Hall of Parliament House. 18 November 2004 27 July 2004 n Counter terrorism officers arrested a n AFP Assistant Commissioner Sandi man at his Werribee home and charged Peisley was appointed Deputy 26 December 2004: As soon as the devastating impact of the Indian Ocean tsunami on him with three offences including Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Boxing Day 2004 became apparent, the AFP began preparations to provide assistance with receiving funds from a terrorist organisation The Melbourne man Islands Police. victim identification in Thailand.– AFP Museum Collection was the first to be charged with these Also in July 2004 Embassy in Jakarta. A fully-equipped positions of Director of Police and particular Criminal Code offences since n The AFP moved to a functional multi-disciplined team was ready for Special Police Adviser. the introduction of Commonwealth organisational structure aligned with counter terrorism legislation in 2002 deployment to Jakarta within two hours n A Task force began in July 2003 and the AFP’s main operational activities. and the fifth person to be charged of receiving notification of the incident. by November 2004 it had laid more Each of 12 portfolios was headed by a under this suite of legislation. than 550 state and federal charges, National Manager required to provide 30 September 2004 seized around 400 fraudulent identity 22 December 2004 a high level of operational governance n Hundreds of people across Australia documents and successfully prevented and leadership and accountable to the n Protective Service Officer Adam were charged with child sex offences potential fraud estimated at more than AFP’s Executive Management Board following a major multijurisdictional Dunning, 26, was shot and killed in $50 million. Honiara during a routine vehicle patrol. investigation. Operation Auxin was 6 August 2004 PSO Dunning was serving as part of coordinated by the Australian High 14 November 2004 n Two men were charged in Canberra RAMSI. Tech Crime Centre and involved the n Customs and AFP officers in Sydney with possession of 585 grams of collaborative efforts of the AFP and all seized a massive 820kg of MDMA 26 December 2004 cocaine worth $300,000, which had tablets and powder, worth around been imported from Brazil in a black state and territory police agencies. n As soon as the devastating impact of $200 million. This was the largest ever the Indian Ocean tsunami on Boxing leather folder. This was the largest haul 19 October 2004 single seizure of the drug to Australia at Day 2004 became apparent, the of imported cocaine to be intercepted in n The AFP was awarded the Keys to the the time. the ACT. AFP began preparations to provide City of Canberra as part of its 25th The drugs were found allegedly in assistance with victim identification 7 September 2004 anniversary celebrations. Celebrations Poland and were air freighted from in Thailand. The initial AFP team n The first eight members of the AFP IDG and reunions took place throughout Germany to Sydney on 15 October sent to Phuket comprised more than arrived in Bougainville, PNG, as part of Australia and in a variety of overseas 2004. 30 specialists including experts locations. in forensic science, pathology and the Enhanced Cooperation Program. 18 November 2004 9 September 2004 29 October 2004 odontology, family support officers and n In Operation Charlie Yield, more than communication support staff. n Operation Bantu was set in place when n Two federal agents arrived in Nauru $3 million worth of ecstasy tablets were a bomb exploded outside the Australian on 29 October 2004 to take up the intercepted in a joint operation with the

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YEAR2005

11 January 2005 15 April 2005 n Police in the Solomon Islands arrested n More than 1 tonne of ecstasy tablets 29-year-old James Tatau in relation to was seized and five men arrested the shooting murder of AFP Protective following a joint operation by the Service Officer Adam Dunning, the AFP and Customs in Melbourne. This seizure, with an approximate street attempted murder of his colleague value of more than $250 million, was, and the attempted murder of another 23 June 2005: A new $2.8 million International Deployment Group training complex was at the time, Australia’s largest and two Participating Police Force officers. opened by Prime Minister John Howard. The complex was purpose-built to simulate difficult one of the world’s biggest ever single John Hen Ome, who was arrested on living and working conditions officers could expect to encounter while on overseas missions. detections of the street-ready drug. 24 December and James Tatau were – AFP Museum Collection acquitted in May 2007 of the murder. 22 April 2005 n The AFP arrested two people and 1 March 2005 seized more than $2 million in cash n The AFP Online Child Sex Exploitation in an ongoing investigation into Team was established in Robina, an international criminal money Queensland. laundering syndicate. 6 May 2005 4 March 2005 n The AFP arrested three Australians n A 43 year-old Brisbane woman was and one New Zealander following the arrested and charged over one of the execution of 14 search warrants in largest Centrelink multiple-identity Brisbane and Sydney. It was alleged frauds of its type in Queensland. It was the two men and two women had alleged that the woman defrauded associations with the nine Australians the Commonwealth of more than (the ‘Bali 9’) arrested by the INP in Bali $595,000 over a six-year period on 18 April for allegedly attempting using five false identities she allegedly to import heroin to Australia. It is also created by using false driver’s licences. alleged these people all travelled to Bali previously and were part of the same 9 March 2005 criminal syndicate operation as the n Federal agents in Melbourne seized Bali 9. 2 tonnes of a precursor chemical 13 May 2005 suspected to be used to manufacture 1 October 2005: The involved a series of terrorist suicide bomb n More than 115kg of heroin was ecstasy. At the time it was the largest attacks at Jimbaran and Kuta, both in south Bali. Twenty people were killed, and 129 people seized and five men arrested in a joint Australian seizure of the chemical. injured. – AFP Museum Collection operation by the AFP and Customs.

132 AFP TIME LINE

2005

This seizure, the largest ever of heroin and Sydney. It was alleged in court that in South Australia, was the result of after months of discussion, individuals a 12-month investigation involving had moved to the point of planning cooperation with law enforcement some sort of activity including the authorities in Belgium, the Netherlands, purchase of potentially dangerous China and Hong Kong. materials. 14 May 2005 12 December 2005 27 August 2005: Four men were arrested and approximately 400kg of ephedrine was n A Sydney man appeared in Parramatta n A $5.3 million AFP firing range at seized as a result of a joint AFP and Customs operation into a shipment of statues from Majura, in the ACT, was opened local court, charged with attempting Vietnam. – Courtesy of Australian Customs and Border Protection Service to import 1.2kg of heroin with a street replacing the Weston firing range, value of approximately $1 million. The destroyed in the January 2003 bushfires. The facility was named after drugs were hidden inside a package 16 August 2005 19 September 2005 Federal Agent Dennis O’Mara, who had containing car parts. n Five people appeared in court in n More than 24kg of ecstasy tablets been involved in police firearms training 14 June 2005 relation to money laundering offences, were seized and three men arrested for 24 years. n John Davies retired as the ACT Chief following an attempted $150 following a joint operation by the AFP 9 December 2005 Police Officer (CPO) after a policing million fraud of the Commonwealth and Customs in Melbourne. The seizure n Protective Service officers and Northern career of more than 30 years. It Superannuation Scheme. This followed of approximately 115,000 tablets, with Territory Police officers arrested six was also announced that Assistant a complex 18-month investigation a street value of around $4.7 million, people following a protest at the Joint Commissioner Audrey Fagan would by Sydney-based federal agents who was detected by Customs at its liaised with financial institutions Melbourne Container Examination Defence Facility at Pine Gap. It was take up the position from 1 July 2005. alleged that four members of the and law enforcement agencies from Facility. 23 June 2005 ‘Christians Against All Terror Group’ had around the world. $147 million of the n A new $2.8 million International 1 October 2005 cut through perimeter fences at the transferred money was recovered with Deployment Group training complex n The 2005 Bali bombings involved facility. the outstanding $3 million restrained, was opened by Prime Minister John a series of terrorist suicide bomb 19 December 2005 subject to court proceedings in Hong Howard. explosions in Jimbaran and Kuta, both n Federal Minister for Justice and Kong. in south Bali. Twenty people were 7 June 2005 Customs Chris Ellison announced 27 August 2005 killed, and 129 people injured. The AFP Commissioner Keelty’s reappointment n A memorandum of understanding assisted the INP in the investigation. as AFP Commissioner at a muster in between the AFP and the Singapore n A joint AFP and Customs operation the Solomon Islands. Police Force was signed by the resulted in the arrest of four men and 8 November 2005 Commissioner of the Singapore the seizure of approximately 400kg n As a result of a joint operation involving Police Force, Khoo Boon Hui and of ephedrine, a pharmaceutical drug, the AFP, NSW Police, Victoria Police, Commissioner, Mick Keelty, in concealed in the bases of a number of the NSW Crime Commission and ASIO, Singapore. ceramic statues shipped from Vietnam. 17 people were arrested in Melbourne

133 AFP TIME LINE

2006

22 January 2006 6 March 2006 n The Online Child Sex Exploitation Team n The first AFP contingent left for shut down its first Australian-hosted Sudan to assist the United Nations child pornography website and arrested peacekeeping effort. In response to a UN request, 10 AFP members its alleged creator. were deployed to Khartoum to join 1 February 2006 police from more than 40 countries 1 February 2006: Almost four years after the body of Janelle Patton was found on Norfolk participating in the United Nations n Almost four years after the body of Island, a New Zealand man, Glenn McNeill was arrested in relation to her murder. Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) operation. Janelle Patton was found on Norfolk – AFP Museum Collection Island, a New Zealand man was 13 March 2006 arrested in relation to her murder. New n A joint Customs–AFP operation in Zealand Police arrested Glenn McNeill Sydney resulted in the seizure of 20 litres of the dangerous drug known as near the town of Nelson on the South gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and the Island following a lengthy investigation arrest of a 23-year-old man. by the AFP. McNeill was convicted on 9 March 2007 and sentenced to a 23 March 2006 maximum of 24 years in prison. n The vessel Pong Su, seized by the AFP during a major narcotic operation in 7 February 2006 2003, was sunk approximately 140km n Three men were arrested following off the NSW South Coast of Jervis Bay a joint AFP–Customs operation following a bombing run by a Royal Australian Air Force F-111. that located nearly 46kg of crystal methamphetamine (ice) hidden in a 31 March 2006 speedboat imported from Canada. n Joseph (Jack) Terrence Thomas was the first Australian to be convicted 28 February 2006 under anti-terrorism laws introduced n The Jakarta Transnational Crime Centre in Australia after the September 11, opened. The Centre was established as 2001 attacks in the United States. a joint initiative between Australia and 6 April 2006 Indonesia in the aftermath of the 2002 n Federal agents dismantled what Bali Bombings to enhance the sharing 6 April 2006: Federal agents dismantled what was suspected at the time to be the largest was suspected at the time to be the of information on transnational crime crystal methamphetamine (ice) laboratory discovered in Australia. A major operation across largest crystal methamphetamine (ice) between law enforcement agencies. NSW and Queensland resulted in the arrest of seven people. – AFP Museum Collection laboratory discovered in Australia.

134 AFP TIME LINE

2006

A major operation across NSW and believed to have been imported from Queensland resulted in the arrest of Canada and the arrest of six men. seven people. 29 September 2006 18 April 2006 n The National Police Memorial was n The AFP helped seize more than officially dedicated by Prime Minister $8 million worth of assets formerly John Howard. The ceremony was controlled by Brisbane businessman attended by the Minister for Justice and Steven Hart, including a number of 18 April 2006: Eight AFP officers, serving as part of the Participating Police Force (PPF) in Customs Chris Ellison, NSW Premier historic military aircraft. the Solomon Islands, were injured during violent protest action in the country. Morris Iemma, state and territory – AFP Museum Collection police commissioners, 700 uniformed 18 April 2006 police, and several hundred friends and n Eight AFP officers, serving as part families of police officers. of the Participating Police Force 19 June 2006 ink. The seizure of 1.2 million ecstasy (PPF) in the Solomon Islands, were n A joint Customs and AFP operation in tablets had an approximate street value 7 November 2006 injured during violent protest action Sydney seized an estimated 120kg of $40 million. n As part of the Australian Government’s of pseudoephedrine that had the in the country. The injured officers, 11 July 2006 commitment to implementing a predominantly from Canberra, were potential to produce a large quantity Unified Policing Model at Australia’s 11 n A multi-agency Australian task force part of a 282-strong Australian of methamphetamine with a possible designated airports, 30 AFP officers dismantled one of the country’s largest contingent serving as part of RAMSI. street value of $22 million. began duties at Melbourne Airport. identity crime syndicates following a 29 May 2006 29 June 2006 six-month operation in NSW, as part of 18 November 2006 n At the request of the Timor-Leste n A joint investigation by the AFP, Operation Hickey. n Thirty-four AFP members were Government, a team of 45 AFP Customs and the INP dismantled deployed to assist the Tongan Police 25 August 2006 members deployed to Timor-Leste in what was possibly the largest Force in the restoration of law and support of the Australian Defence Force pseudoephedrine smuggling syndicate n The Australian Government announced order after riots broke out in the Tongan led effort to stabilise the country. This to target Australia. There were more that the AFP’s International capital Nuku’alofa. brought the number of AFP officers in than 380kg of the drug involved Deployment Group (IDG) would be the country to 57. in at least six importations, and its increased by about 400 personnel, taking the total to 1200. This was the 13 June 2006 potential street value, if made into methamphetamine, was $71 million. largest single increase in AFP staff n Federal agents dismantled a Sydney since the AFP was established in cocaine laboratory and arrested and 30 June 2006 1979. charged four men and one woman with n A joint AFP–Customs operation in numerous drug and money laundering NSW and Victoria resulted in five 21 September 2006 offences. The officers seized 6kg of arrests following the discovery of n A joint AFP–Customs operation in cocaine in block form,1.2 kg cocaine in approximately 350kg of ecstasy tablets Queensland and NSW resulted in the powder form and $234,000 in cash. hidden in a shipping container of discovery of $35 million of cocaine

135 AFP TIME LINE

2007

26 February 2007 4 May 2007 n The AFP became the first policing n ACT Minister for Police and Emergency agency in the Asia-Pacific, and only the Services Simon Corbell and second in the Southern Hemisphere, to Commissioner Mick Keelty announced the appointment of Assistant sign an agreement with Europol, in a Commissioner Andrew Hughes as the move expected to significantly help in interim Chief Police Officer for the ACT. the fight against transnational crime. 26 February 2007: The AFP became the first policing agency in the Asia-Pacific, and only Also in May 2007 7 March 2007 the second in the Southern Hemisphere, to sign an agreement with Europol. – AFP Museum Collection n Two AFP members escort Guantanamo n AFP members Brice Steele and Mark inmate David Hicks back to Australia Scott were two of five Australians killed under the International Transfer of among the 21 passengers who did not Prisoner Acts 1997 (Cth.) He was survive a Garuda Airlines crash landing transferred into custody at Yatala prison in Yogyakarta. The Australians were in South Australia. travelling as part of an advance party n Operation Halophyte – Following a for the visit of the Australian Minister complex two-year investigation, two for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Melbourne men were charged with terrorism offences relating to their 20 April 2007 support of the Liberation Tigers of n Assistant Commissioner Audrey Tamil Eelam. Fagan was found deceased in a n Two men were charged following a holiday apartment on Hayman Island, joint AFP and Customs operation in Queensland. She had been the Chief which 25 litres of liquids containing Police Officer of the ACT for the last crystal methamphetamine (ice) were two years of her 26 years with the AFP. seized. The two men were allegedly extracting ice from the highly On 27 April senior police officers and flammable chemical solution in a politicians from around Australia joined makeshift laboratory in a hotel room in more than 1,000 mourners at her Sydney’s inner west. Canberra funeral. 13 June 2007 In the following months, the Australian n The INP announced the arrest of Abu Capital Territory Government 14 March 2007: AFP members Brice Steele and Mark Scott were two of five Australians Dujanah, the leader of terrorist group introduced a series of scholarships in afforded a repatriation ceremony at Fairbairn Airport following their deaths in the Garuda Jemaah Islamiyah’s military wing, in an Audrey Fagan’s name. Airlines crash landing in Yogyakarta on 7 March 2007. – AFP Museum Collection operation assisted by the AFP. This was

136 AFPAFP TIMETIMELINE LINE

YEAR2007

a crucial breakthrough as he had been of ice and ecstasy reaching Australia’s hunted for almost five years and was streets. believed to have been influential in the Internationally, law enforcement officers recruitment for, and expansion of, the seized 600kg of cocaine, 111kg of Jemaah Islamiyah network. methamphetamine, 83kg of ecstasy and 2 July 2007 1200kg of precursor materials used in the production of methamphetamine n Dr Mohamed Haneef, an Indian 19 November 2007: Law enforcement and allied agency representatives from around and ecstasy. The Australian arm of physician working in Australia, was the globe attended the AFP-convened International Policing Toward 2020 Conference to the investigation led to the seizure of arrested at Brisbane Airport on contemplate the nature of the society and law enforcement in the year 2020. 28.6kg of crystal methamphetamine, suspicion of terror-related activities. – AFP Museum Collection 23kg of ecstasy tablets in Sydney and A relative, Kafeel Ahmed, and Sabeel Melbourne, and made 14 arrests. Ahmed had attacked Glasgow University of Canberra student who package for professionals working with International Airport only days was found murdered in a Belconnen families of the missing persons. 20 December 2007 beforehand and a mobile phone apartment on 12 January 2005. n A nation-wide investigation by the AFP SIM card linked to Dr Haneef had 2 November 2007 led to the arrest of 24 men on child been found as part of the British Also in July 2007 n The AFP further strengthened ties with pornography offences. The six-month investigation. n Operation Pleach – the AFP deployed its counterparts in China by launching investigation by the AFP Online Child 11 staff to the Northern Territory as part the first Management of Serious Crime Sex Exploitation Team resulted in the 27 July 2007 of the Australian Government initiative program based in China and officially seizure of more than one million images, n Commissioner Keelty and to combat child abuse. Ten members opening AFP’s third China post in including pictures of infants and young Commonwealth Director of Public are sworn in as special members of Guangzhou. teenagers involved in sexual acts. Prosecutions, Damian Bugg, confirmed the Northern Territory Police and one 19 November 2007 n A joint AFP–Customs operation resulted the withdrawal of the charge of of the members is embedded into the in one arrest and the seizure of more n Law enforcement and allied agency providing support to a terrorist Northern Territory Police command than 100kg of ephedrine discovered representatives from around the organisation against Dr Mohamed structure. packed inside a consignment of coffee Haneef. Commissioner Keelty said the globe attended the AFP-convened 10 August 2007 from Cambodia. Customs officers AFP acted on advice from the DPP International Policing Toward 2020 n Interim Chief Police Officer for the ACT, checking air cargo at Mascot discovered when it charged Dr Haneef on 13 Conference to contemplate the nature the drugs and the AFP monitored Assistant Commissioner Andy Hughes, July and now accepts the DPP’s latest of the society and law enforcement in the delivery of the consignment to a was appointed as Police Advisor to decision. the year 2020 and how to prepare for Greenacre address in Sydney’s west and the United Nations Department of it. made the arrest. n ACT Policing provided a comprehensive Peacekeeping Operations. brief of evidence and physical exhibits 13 December 2007 This amount of precursor could to Chinese police and prosecutors in 31 October 2007 n A multi-agency international crime task potentially have made 90kg of ice with the matter of Zhang Hong Jie, the n The AFP launched a new national force arrested 40 people worldwide a potential street value of more than 25-year-old Chinese national and support framework and training preventing more than $13.7 million $35 million.

137 AFPAFP TIMETIMELINE LINE and the dismantling of a global criminal syndicate involved in the production and distribution of narcotics. YEAR2008 The investigation involved the AFP and the Royal Thai Police. One of two men arrested in Sydney was an assistant director with the New South Wales Crime Commission. He was charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border controlled precursor, conspiracy to supply a large 24 January 2008 commercial quantity of a prohibited n A 26-year-old Lithuanian national drug and conspiracy to pervert the faced court charged with importing course of justice. approximately 28kg of amphetamines concealed within a large granite column. It was alleged that the Sydney men The drugs had a potential street value of were part of a conspiracy to illegally approximately $2.2 million. import 600kg of pseudoephedrine 8 August 2008: A 12-month investigation by a range of law enforcement agencies resulted which had the potential to produce 11 February 2008 in the world’s largest single seizure of ecstasy worth $440 million concealed in a shipment more than $120 million worth of n Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos Horta of 3000 tomato tins. The investigation led to 16 arrests in Australia. methamphetamine. was shot twice by rebels in Dili. Rebel – AFP Museum Collection leader Alfredo Reinado was killed when 10 June 2008 guards returned fire. 1 March 2008 legs of the relay was not repeated during n Customs officers at Sydney Airport’s n The new AFP portfolio of High Tech the only Australian leg of the relay. air cargo facility detected 45kg of 11 February 2008 Crime Operations was formed, The relatively peaceful progress of the pseudoephedrine concealed in a n A father and son from Revesby in incorporating the Australian High Tech relay through Canberra’s streets earned consignment of large glass boxes from Sydney were charged with allegedly Crime Centre, AFP Child Protection praise from a wide range of authorities Lebanon. The light brown powder importing and selling tonnes of Operations, AFP Technology Enabled including the International Olympic tested positive for pseudoephedrine, counterfeit name brand washing Crime, AFP Technical Operations and Committee. a precursor chemical used in the powder. The registered owner of the IDG Special Operations Support Teams trademark referred the matter to the AFP 28 April 2008 manufacture of methamphetamine, 12 March 2008 after it discovered retailers in the Sydney n The AFP charged a 58-year-old man also known as ice. The AFP arrested n Three people faced Sydney courts after metropolitan area were selling 9kg over a $100 million offshore money a Guildford man who appeared in 250kg of cocaine destined for Sydney buckets of branded washing powder. laundering scheme. This was the third Sydney Central Court. The drugs had an was intercepted by members of the Investigations led to allegations that 85 major arrest by members of the Project estimated street value of $15.7 million. multi-agency Joint Asian Crime Group. Wickenby task force. tonnes of the counterfeit product had The consignment was the fourth largest 12 June 2008 been imported from China. cocaine seizure in Australian history, 16 May 2008 n Customs and AFP prevented more Also in February 2008 with an estimated street value of $87.5 n The AFP’s Senior Liaison Office in than 300kg of illegal drugs from n Operation Comity was the first million. Belgrade and the International Network being smuggled into Australia inside contribute to the successful extradition operational deployment for the IDG’s 24 April 2008 fibreglass foot spas. X-ray analysis to Australia from Greece of convicted Operational Response Group (ORG). discovered 124kg of cocaine, 66kg n Canberra hosted the 2008 Olympic drug trafficker Tony Mokbel. Following the attempt on José Ramos- Torch Relay requiring the presence of of methylamphetamine and 121kg of Horta’s life; 70 ORG members were more than 550 sworn police members 3 June 2008 MDMA inside the base of the appliances. deployed to Timor–Leste at the request to ensure that the disruption to the relay n A two-year investigation spanning three The estimated street value of the drugs of its government. experience on many of the overseas continents led to the arrest of 15 people was $78 million.

138 The operation began when Customs officers at Sydney’s Port Botany AFP TIME LINE Container Examination Facility detected the drugs in aluminium foil packages in 40 cartons of rubber gloves, which 2008 were part of a shipment of plastic household items that arrived from China on 8 November. 1 December 2008 n Three Mexican nationals, two men and one woman, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with 20 June 2008 attempting to import 64.6kg of cocaine. n One of the world’s largest illegal The drugs had an estimated value of stockpiles of the oil used as a precursor more than $16 million. to manufacture ecstasy was incinerated in a joint operation between AFP and 23 December 2008 Cambodian authorities. n The report of the Clarke Inquiry into the The stockpile of safrole-rich oil in 1 December 2008: As a result of a US–Australian joint operation, three Mexican nationals, investigation of Dr Mohamed Haneef Cambodia could have been used to two men and one woman, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with attempting to was released, with the AFP expressing produce 245 million ecstasy tablets import 64.6kg of cocaine. The drugs had an estimated value of more than $16 million. its commitment to working with the with an estimated street value, in – AFP Museum Collection Australian Government to ensure all Australia, of $7.6 billion. the Inquiry’s recommendations were estimated street value of $297 million 25 June 2008 concealed in a shipment of 3,000 implemented. and led to the arrest of three people. tomato tins. n AFP and Customs seized 45kg of The 850kg pseudoephedrine seizure was 25 December 2008 pseudoephedrine with the potential 17 October 2008 one of Australia’s largest at the time. n to manufacture approximately $15.7 n Two Indonesian nationals were charged A 45-year-old Spanish national was million of the drug ice concealed in a 14 July 2008 with people smuggling offences after a charged for importing approximately consignment of three large glass boxes. n Seven people faced Melbourne vessel in their charge was detected in the 2kg of ice concealed in the base of a Magistrates Court over the attempted Timor Sea. On board there was a crew of suitcase. The seized drugs had a potential 9 July 2008 importation of more than 166kg of three and 14 passengers. street value of $800,000. n The AFP took 10 youths to London drugs concealed in a consignment of 20 November 2008 to participate in the International massage chairs and spa baths en route 29 December 2008 n Following Adelaide’s single largest Youth Advisory Congress. A world to Australia from Canada. US authorities n A two-year AFP operation ended after Ice seizure, AFP and South Australia first it brought together 150 youths discovered and removed the 93kg of the arrest in Australia, of a man alleged Police charged two Adelaide men from around the globe to develop a ecstasy, 46kg of cocaine and 27kg of to be the head of a transnational drug and a Singapore national with the strategy with law enforcement agencies methylamphetamine, with an estimated importation of more than 80kg of crystal trafficking syndicate spanning three worldwide to ensure online safety and Australian street value of more than methylamphetamine (ice) estimated to continents. The man was alleged to have security for youths. $31 million. have a value of $32 million. headed a syndicate operating out of 2 July 2008 8 August 2008 AFP and South Australia Police Australia, Canada and the Netherlands n An operation involving Customs, the n A 12-month investigation by a range of officers executed search warrants after by conspiring to import cocaine using AFP and the NSW Crime Commission law enforcement agencies resulted in the monitoring the consignment of drugs a large network of couriers internally (NSWCC) prevented the supply of world’s largest single seizure of ecstasy. from Sydney. The men were arrested concealing the drugs. enough illegal chemicals to make Sixteen arrests were made in Australia after they allegedly accessed the methylamphetamine (ice) with an over the drugs, worth $440 million, consignment.

139 AFP TIME LINE

2009

10 January 2009 15 February 2009 n A 56-year-old Canadian man was n To assist Task Force Phoenix the arrested in Sydney for allegedly Indonesian government formally importing 10kg of cocaine hidden offered to deploy a fully trained Disaster in forklift batteries. On 22 December Victim Identification team from the 2008, Customs officers at Sydney’s INP. The team arrived in Melbourne Port Botany container examination on Sunday 15 February and, on 10 January 2009: A 56-year-old Canadian man was arrested in Sydney for allegedly completion of the assignment, were facility inspected a consignment from importing 10kg of cocaine hidden in forklift batteries. – Courtesy of Australian Customs and Mexico containing a forklift and found formally thanked at a farewell function Border Protection Service. held at the AFP Melbourne office in white powder in the forklift batteries mid March. that tested positive for cocaine. The AFP executed search warrants on In April 2009 premises in Moorebank and Bankstown n After receiving information from the and arrested one man. The drugs seized AFP’s Jakarta Post in late April which as a result of this operation had an suggested an international people approximate street value of more than smuggling ring was operating from $2.45 million. Shepparton in regional Victoria, Operation Talma unfolded quickly. 13 February 2009 Sixty-eight Afghans detained by the n The AFP deployed 60 members of the INP in West Java told the AFP that Operational Response Group to assist they paid thousands of dollars to a the Victoria Police in the aftermath of Shepparton man for a boat journey to the Black Saturday bushfires. Australia. Subsequent investigations This was the first of several waves of AFP in Australia confirmed a 64-year-old deployments under Operation Amicus Shepparton man and his 21-year-old and Task Force Phoenix with the overall son were linked to the 68 passengers contribution exceeding 200 members in detention. drawn from AFP areas including 6 May 2009 ACT Policing, Forensic Services, the n Commissioner Mick Keelty announced International Deployment Group, and his intention to retire from the AFP members from regional offices including effective from 2 September 2009. This Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane 16 February 2009: Operational Response Group members being briefed in situ on their date coincided with Commissioner and Perth. tasks in the wake of the Black Saturday bush fires in Victoria.– AFP Museum Collection Keelty’s 35th anniversary in policing.

140 AFP TIME LINE

2009

the police. Supported by a wide range of sporting, policing and community organisations, the Unity Cup provided a 13 May 2009 focus on the positive relationships that n Detectives attached to the Joint have been built between the AFP and Asian Crime Group (JACG) arrested the wider Muslim community. a 41-year-old Epping man, seized 9 July 2009 more than $1.1 million in cash, and n Three Mexican nationals were arrested prevented about $25 million worth of by the AFP in Sydney in connection methylamphetamine being produced with the importation of 144kg of 4 June 2009: A forensic officer from National Crime Scenes conducting an examination on in Australia. The arrest followed a cocaine. The investigation into the hazardous chemicals in a shipment seized as part of Operation Meranti. importation began in late 2008 when multi-agency investigation into an – AFP Museum Collection Asian syndicate involved in the alleged a consignment originating from Mexico importation of pseudoephedrine. was identified for examination through 1 June 2009 had the potential to make 150kg of analytical work undertaken by Customs Detectives executed search warrants n As a result of Operation Furious, more methamphetamine with a street value in Sydney. Customs officers examined on Sunday 10 May, 2009, at a than 10 terabytes of data was seized of $15 million. the consignment which contained six storage facility on Parramatta Road at and 15 men charged with over 44 steel die casts, weighing approximately 11 June 2009 4 tonnes each. Homebush as well as a home on Ray offences. Almost 12 months on from n Search warrants were executed on Road at Epping. At the Homebush Operation Centurion where 141 men 15 July 2009 eight Melbourne premises and four premises, detectives located and seized were charged, the AFP continued to n For the first time in a National Missing about 70kg of pseudoephedrine; a fight this crime type with 169 people vehicles with the assistance of the ATO in connection with an alleged Persons Week advertising campaign precursor used in the manufacture charged with 245 offences. The arrests $38 million tax evasion syndicate. the AFP used the personal stories of amphetamines, as well as about demonstrated that no form of child of four individual families to raise The operation investigated an alleged abuse will be tolerated in Australia or awareness of missing persons. The $868,500. Detectives also located a syndicate, suspected of being involved anywhere in the world. campaign began with a series of clandestine laboratory at the Epping in large scale tax fraud through broadcast advertisements including premises, which was dismantled. Melbourne-based businesses. 4 June 2009 individual family video segments 15 May 2009 n Operation Meranti saw the AFP 15 June 2009 illustrating the campaign’s tagline ‘Not and Customs dismantling a major n The Wilkins Review report into the AFP n The Colombo liaison post opened knowing is like living in darkness’. international drug trafficking syndicate response to the incident at Sydney with six simultaneous arrests in Sydney 22 June 2009 Airport on 22 March 2009 was and Canberra. Approximately 200kg of n People from diverse cultures in released. The report supported the pseudoephedrine and more than 1800 Melbourne attended the AFP– AFP’s view that its response to the litres of precursor material concealed Essendon Football Club Unity Cup incident that led to the bashing death in a shipment of furniture from China Family Day reinforcing mutual of a man in Sydney Airport Terminal 3 were seized. It was estimated that understanding and respect between was timely and adequate. this amount of pseudoephedrine members of different communities and

141

Chapter 7: Key Facts The First Thirty Years

Maps provided by AFP Geospatial Services

143 KEY FACTS

1979–80 AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1979–80 Sir Colin Woods AFP Sworn 1114 Deputy Commissioner Vice Regal R. E. Kennedy Protective Service Component 1443 Assistant Commissioner Crime Public Service Act Staff 375 Governor-General R. Farmer Sir Zelman Cowen Total 2932 Assistant Commissioner Operations Source: AFP Annual Report 1979–80 p.1 & 5 A. J. Watt Government Assistant Commissioner Personnel W. Antill1 – Acting Cost of AFP 1979–80 $66.708m Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser Assistant Commissioner Services Source: AFP Annual Report 1979–80 p. 32 J. D. Reilly - Acting Minister for Administrative Services Executive Officer Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the John McLeay/Kevin Newman J. Ireland – Acting methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs.

1. Nominal Occupant Assistant Commissioner J. C. Johnson attending Police Staff College. Bramshill House, Hampshire, UK. 19 October 1979: Australian law enforcement officers were in three Source: 1980 AFP Annual Report – Page 4 overseas locations when the AFP came into existence.

•Bangkok •Kuala Lumpur

•Jakarta

Commissioner Woods congratulates former ACT Police Commissioner Reg Kennedy on being sworn in as the Minister for Administrative Services AFP Deputy Commissioner by Canberra Magistrate of John McLeay Canberra Magistrate John Dainer.

144 KEY FACTS

1980–81 AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1980–81 Sir Colin Woods AFP Sworn 2020 Deputy Commissioner Vice Regal Not Published Protective Service Component 1393 Assistant Commissioner Crime Public Service Act Staff (est) 375 Governor-General Not Published Sir Zelman Cowen Total 3688 Assistant Commissioner Operations Source: AFP Annual Report 1980–81 p.138 Not Published Government Assistant Commissioner Personnel Cost of AFP 1980–81 $80.697m Prime Minister Not Published Malcolm Fraser Assistant Commissioner Services Source: AFP Annual Report 1980–81 p.92 Minister for Administrative Services Not Published Executive Officer Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Kevin Newman methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Not Published

Source: 1981 AFP Annual Report – Page 9

No new international liaison posts opened

Governor-General Sir Zelman Cowen

145 KEY FACTS

1981–82 AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1981–82 Sir Colin Woods AFP Sworn unpublished Deputy Commissioner Vice Regal Not Published Protective Service Component unpublished Assistant Commissioner Crime AFP Unsworn unpublished Governor-General Not Published Sir Zelman Cowen Total unpublished Assistant Commissioner ACT Operations Not Published Government Assistant Commissioner National Operations Prime Minister Not Published Cost of AFP 1981–82 unpublished Malcolm Fraser Assistant Commissioner Personnel and Services Minister for Administrative Services Not Published Kevin Newman Executive Officer Policy and Administration Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Not Published methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Source: 1981–82 AFP Annual Report – Page 6

May 1982: The Los Angeles liaison post opened.

• Los Angeles

Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser

146 KEY FACTS

1982–83 AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1982–83 Major General R. A. Grey AFP Sworn 2094 Deputy Commissioner Vice Regal J. C. Johnson Protective Service Component 833 Assistant Commissioner Investigations Public Service Act Staff 396 Governor-General A. J. Watt Sir Ninian Stephen Total 3323 Assistant Commissioner Training Source: AFP Annual Report 1982–83 p.3 R. Farmer Government Assistant Commissioner General Policing Cost of AFP 1982–83 $109.063m Prime Minister P. D. McConaghy Bob Hawke Assistant Commissioner Personnel and Services Source: AFP Annual Report 1982–83 p.72 Special Minister of State J. D. Reilly Chief Executive Officer Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Kim Beazley methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. S. B. Gavin

Source: 1982–83 AFP Annual Report – Page iii

November 1982: The Wellington NZ liaison post opened.

Wellington •

Special Minister of State Kim Beazley

147 KEY FACTS

1983–84 AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1983–84 Major General R. A. Grey AFP Sworn 2033 Deputy Commissioner Investigations Vice Regal J. C. Johnson Protective Service Component 878 Deputy Commissioner Administration AFP Unsworn 434 Governor-General R. Farmer Sir Ninian Stephen Total 3345 Assistant Commissioner Coastal Protection Unit Source: AFP Annual Report 1983–84 p.4 A. J. Watt Government Assistant Commissioner (ACT Region) Cost of AFP 1983–84 $117.941m Prime Minister P. D. McConaghy Bob Hawke Assistant Commissioner Personnel and Services Source: AFP Annual Report 1983–84 p.112 Special Minister of State J. D. Reilly Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Mick Young Assistant Commissioner Eastern Region R. J. McCabe methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Chief Executive Officer S. B. Gavin

Source: 1983–84 AFP Annual Report – Page iii 1983–84: The Washington, Islamabad and Hong Kong liaison posts opened.

Washington • •Islamabad Hong Kong •

Prime Minister Bob Hawke

148 KEY FACTS

1984–85 AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1984–85 Major General R. A. Grey AFP Sworn 2838 Deputy Commissioner Operations Vice Regal J. C. Johnson AFP Unsworn 470 Deputy Commissioner Administration Total 3308 Governor-General R. Farmer Sir Ninian Stephen Source: AFP Annual Report 1984–85 p.2 Assistant Commissioner Australian Bureau of Intelligence A. J. Watt Cost of AFP 1984–85 $113.069m Government Assistant Commissioner ACT Region Source: AFP Annual Report 1984–85 p.116 Prime Minister P. D. McConaghy Bob Hawke Assistant Commissioner Training Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the J. D. Reilly Special Minister of State methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Mick Young Assistant Commissioner Eastern Region R. J. McCabe Assistant Commissioner Investigations B. C. Bates

Assistant Commissioner Personnel and Services September 1984: The Manila liaison post opened C. S. Winchester May 1985: The Singapore liaison post opened Secretary to the AFP S. B. Gavin

Source: 1984–85 AFP Annual Report – Page iii

•Manila

•Singapore

Special Minister of State Mick Young with Commissioner Ron Grey

149 KEY FACTS

1985–86 AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1985–86 Major General R. A. Grey AFP Sworn 2568 Deputy Commissioner Administration Vice Regal J. C. Johnson AFP Unsworn 545 Deputy Commissioner Operations Total 3113 Governor-General R. Farmer Sir Ninian Stephen Source: AFP Annual Report 1985–86 p.3

Assistant Commissioner Australian Bureau of Intelligence Cost of AFP 1985–86 $132.262m Government A. J. Watt Source: AFP Annual Report 1985–86 p.99 Prime Minister Assistant Commissioner ACT Region P. D. McConaghy Bob Hawke Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Special Minister of State Assistant Commissioner Training methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. J. D. Reilly Mick Young Assistant Commissioner Northern Command R. J. McCabe Assistant Commissioner Investigations B. C. Bates Assistant Commissioner Personnel and Services February 1986: The London liaison post opened. C. S. Winchester Assistant Commissioner Commander Australian Police College J. C. Kelly •London Assistant Commissioner Southern Command V. A. Anderson Secretary to the AFP S. B. Gavin Assistant Secretary W. J. Ireland Source: 1985–86 AFP Annual Report – Page iii

Deputy Commissioner Administration J. C. Johnson

150 KEY FACTS

1986–87 AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1986–87 Major General R. A. Grey AFP Sworn 2642 Vice Regal Deputy Commissioner Operations AFP Unsworn 544 R. Farmer Total 3186 Governor-General Assistant Commissioner Investigations Source: AFP Annual Report 1986–87 p.3 Sir Ninian Stephen P. J. Lamb Commander Coastal Protection Unit Cost of AFP 1986–87 $141.305m Government Chief Superintendent R. E. Dixon Source: AFP Annual Report 1986–87 p.98 Prime Minister Deputy Commissioner Administration Bob Hawke J. C. Johnson Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Special Minister of State Assistant Commissioner Personnel and Training methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Michael Tate B. C. Bates Internal Investigation Division Chief Superintendent G. L. Bruce Assistant Commissioner Services I. C. Broomby August 1986: The Honolulu liaison post opened. March 1987: The Jakarta liaison post closed. Commander ACT Command Assistant Commissioner P. D. McConaghy Commander Northern Command Assistant Commissioner R. J. McCabe Commander Southern Command Assistant Commissioner C. S. Winchester Honolulu • Secretary to the AFP S. B. Gavin

Source: 1985–86 AFP Annual Report – Page vii • Jakarta

Deputy Commissioner Operations R. Farmer

151 KEY FACTS

1987–88 AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1987–88 Major General R. A. Grey AFP Sworn 2713 Vice Regal Deputy Commissioner Operations AFP Unsworn 655 R. Farmer Total 3368 Governor-General Assistant Commissioner Investigations Sir Ninian Stephen P. J. Lamb Source: AFP Annual Report 1987–88 p.119 ACT Command Government Assistant Commissioner C. S. Winchester Cost of AFP 1987–88 $150.867m Northern Command Source: AFP Annual Report 1987–88 p.107 Prime Minister Assistant Commissioner R. J. McCabe Bob Hawke Southern Command Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Minister for Justice Assistant Commissioner B. C. Bates methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Michael Tate Coastal Protection Unit Chief Superintendent R. E. Dixon

Deputy Commissioner Administration J. C. Johnson Assistant Commissioner Personnel and Training 7 June 1988: The Nicosia liaison post opened vacant Internal Investigation Division Chief Superintendent W. L. Antill Assistant Commissioner Services vacant Secretary to the AFP S. B. Gavin

Source: 1987–88 AFP Annual Report – Page vi Nicosia •

ACT Command Assistant Commissioner C. S. Winchester

152 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1988–89 R. McAulay 1988–89 AFP Sworn 2532 Deputy Commissioner Operations AFP Unsworn 656 Not Published Total 3188 Assistant Commissioner Investigations Source: AFP Annual Report 1988–89 p.111 Not Published Vice Regal Assistant Commissioner ACT Region Not Published Cost of AFP 1988–89 $161.476m Governor-General Source: AFP Annual Report ­­­­1988–89 p.137 Sir Ninian Stephen Assistant Commissioner Eastern Region Not Published Assistant Commissioner Southern Region Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Government Not Published Prime Minister Assistant Commissioner Northern Bob Hawke Not Published Minister for Justice Commander Central Region Michael Tate Not Published Commander Western Region Not Published

Deputy Commissioner Administration Not Published February 1989: The Buenos Aires liaison post opened. Associate Commissioner Coordination and Resources Not Published Assistant Commissioner Personnel and Training Not Published Assistant Commissioner Services Not Published Commander Internal Investigations Not Published Commander Industrial Relations Not Published Commander Executive Audit and Support Not Published

Source: 1988–89 AFP Annual Report – Page 3 Buenos Aires •

Commissioner R (Peter) McAulay

153 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1989–90 R. McAulay AO QPM AFP Sworn 2401 1989–90 Deputy Commissioner Operations R. Farmer APM QPM AFP Unsworn 717 Assistant Commissioner Investigations Total 3118 P. J. Lamb APM Source: AFP Annual Report 1989–90 p.127 Assistant Commissioner ACT Region Vice Regal B. C. Bates APM Cost of AFP 1989–90 $214.885m Assistant Commissioner Northern Region Governor-General Source: AFP Annual Report 1989–90 p.156 William Hayden W. L. Antill APM Assistant Commissioner Eastern Region I. C. Broomby APM Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Government Assistant Commissioner Southern Region Prime Minister W. N. Williams QPM Bob Hawke Commander Central Region Minister for Justice and Consumer Affairs M. R. Blaylock Michael Tate Commander Western Region T. H. Dales Commander Protection Division R. E. Dixon

Commander Operations Coordination Division 13 January 1990: The Chiang Mai liaison post opened W. J. Stoll February 1990: The Rome liaison post opened Deputy Commissioner Administration J. C. Johnson APM QPM Associate Commissioner Corporate Affairs S. B. Gavin Assistant Commissioner Personnel and Training • Rome P. G. Dawson APM Assistant Commissioner Services P. W. Baer APM Chiang Mai • Commander Internal Security & Audit Division A. M. Whiddett APM Commander Industrial Relations Division R. G. Leffers (acting) Officer in Charge Administrative Law Branch G. Davidson QPM Source: 1989–90 AFP Annual Report – Page 5 Note: Honours are attributed as written in the original annual reports – not all the reports listed Minister for Justice and Consumer Affairs individual post nominals. Michael Tate

154 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1990–91 R. McAulay AO QPM AFP Sworn 2543 1990–91 Deputy Commissioner Operations R. Farmer APM QPM AFP Unsworn 674 Assistant Commissioner Investigations Total 3217 I. C. Broomby APM Source: AFP Annual Report 1990–91 p.137 Assistant Commissioner ACT Region B. C. Bates APM Vice Regal Cost of AFP 1990–91 $211.163m Assistant Commissioner Northern Region Governor-General Source: AFP Annual Report 1990–91 p.157 William Hayden W. L. Antill APM Assistant Commissioner Eastern Region P. W. Baer APM Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Government Assistant Commissioner Southern Region Prime Minister W. N. Williams QPM Commander Central Region Minister for Justice and Consumer Affairs D. McCullock Michael Tate Commander Western Region T. H. Dales Commander Protection Division A. J. Mills AM Commander Operations Coordination Division W. J. Spurling

Deputy Commissioner Administration J. C. Johnson APM QPM Associate Commissioner Corporate Affairs S. B. Gavin Assistant Commissioner Personnel and Training P. G. Dawson APM Assistant Commissioner Services A. M. Whiddett No new Commander Internal Security & Audit Division international liaison J. D. Allen posts opened Commander Industrial Relations Division G. Davidson QPM Officer in Charge Administrative Law Branch P. M. Jones Source: 1990–91 AFP Annual Report – Page 7 Paul Keating Prime Minister of Australia

155 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1991–92 R. McAulay AO QPM AFP Sworn 2453 1991–92 Deputy Commissioner Operations B. Bates APM AFP Unsworn 701 Assistant Commissioner Investigations Total 3154 I. C. Broomby Source: AFP Annual Report 1991–92 p.147 Assistant Commissioner ACT Region P. Dawson APM Vice Regal Cost of AFP 1991–92 $224.004m Assistant Commissioner Northern Region Governor-General Source: AFP Annual Report 1991–92 p.197 William Hayden W. L. Antill Assistant Commissioner Eastern Region Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the P. W. Baer APM methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Government Assistant Commissioner Southern Region W. N. Williams QPM Prime Minister Commander Central Region Paul Keating D. McCulloch Minister for Justice Commander Western Region Michael Tate T. H. Dales Commander Protection Division A. J. Mills AM Commander Operations Coordination Division W. J. Spurling

Deputy Commissioner Administration A. M. Whiddett APM (acting) Associate Commissioner Corporate Affairs S. B. Gavin Assistant Commissioner Science J. D. Allen

Source: AFP Annual Report 1991–92 p.7 No new international liaison posts opened

Deputy Commissioner Operations B. Bates APM

156 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1992–93 R. McAulay AO QPM AFP Sworn 2394 1992–93 Deputy Commissioner Operations B. Bates APM AFP Unsworn 666 Assistant Commissioner Investigations Total 3060 J. Valentin Source: AFP Annual Report 1992–93 p.147 Assistant Commissioner ACT Region P. Dawson APM Vice Regal Cost of AFP 1992–93 $220.983m Assistant Commissioner Northern Region Governor-General Source: AFP Annual Report 1992–93 p.200 William Hayden W. L. Antill Assistant Commissioner Eastern Region Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the P. W. Baer APM methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Government Assistant Commissioner Southern Region Prime Minister W. N. Williams QPM Paul Keating Commander Central Region Minister for Justice D. McCulloch Duncan Kerr Commander Western Region R. Leffers APM Commander Protection Division A. J. Mills AM December 1992:The Jakarta liaison post re-opened. Operations Policy and Support D. Blizzard January 1993: The Wellington NZ liaison post closed. June 1993: The Honolulu liaison post closed. Deputy Commissioner Administration A. M. Whiddett APM Associate Commissioner Corporate Affairs S. B. Gavin Assistant Commissioner Science J. D. Allen

Source: AFP Annual Report 1992–93 p.8 Jakarta•

Minister for Justice and Customs Duncan Kerr

157 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1993–94 M. Palmer APM AFP Sworn 2302 1993–94 Deputy Commissioner Operations B. Bates APM AFP Unsworn 647 Assistant Commissioner Investigations Total 2949 A. Mills AM Source: AFP Annual Report 1993–94 p.82 Assistant Commissioner ACT Region P. Dawson APM Vice Regal Cost of AFP 1993–94 $237.078m Assistant Commissioner Northern Region Governor-General Source: AFP Annual Report 1993–94 p.101 William Hayden W. L. Antill Assistant Commissioner Eastern Region P. W. Baer APM Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Government Assistant Commissioner Southern Region Prime Minister J. Valentin Paul Keating Commander Central Region Minister for Justice D. McCulloch Duncan Kerr Commander Western Region R. Leffers APM Commander Protection M. Vincent Operations Policy and Support P. Brown APM (acting) May 1994: The Islamabad liaison post opened. Deputy Commissioner Administration A. M. Whiddett APM Associate Commissioner Corporate Affairs S. B. Gavin • Islamabad Assistant Commissioner Science J. D. Allen

Source: AFP Annual Report 1993–94 p.4

Deputy Commissioner Operations A. Whiddett APM

158 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1994–95 M. Palmer APM AFP Sworn 2291 1994–95 Deputy Commissioner Operations A. Whiddett APM AFP Unsworn 672 Assistant Commissioner Investigations Total 2963 A. Mills AM Source: AFP Annual Report 1994–95 p.93 Assistant Commissioner ACT Region P. Dawson APM Vice Regal Cost of AFP 1994–95 $274.835m Assistant Commissioner Northern Region Governor-General Source: AFP Annual Report 1994–95 p.115 William Hayden W. L. Antill Assistant Commissioner Eastern Region P. W. Baer APM Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Government methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Assistant Commissioner Southern Region Prime Minister J. Valentin Paul Keating Commander Central Region Minister for Justice P. Donaldson Duncan Kerr Commander Western Region A. Brown Commander Protection M. Vincent Operations Policy and Support P. Brown APM (acting) September: The Port Moresby liaison post opened. Deputy Commissioner Administration (also OIC ACT Region) J. Allen APM Associate Commissioner Corporate Affairs S. B. Gavin Assistant Commissioner Science & Technology Dr R. Wood (acting)

Source: AFP Annual Report 1994–95 p.6 Note: Honours are attributed as written in the original annual reports – not all the reports listed individual post nominals. Port Moresby •

Deputy Commissioner Jim Allen

159 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1995–96 M. Palmer APM AFP Sworn 2117 1995–96 Deputy Commissioners J. Allen APM AFP Unsworn 655 A. Whiddett APM Total 2772 Assistant Commissioner ACT Region Source: AFP Annual Report 1995–96 p.81 B. Stoll Vice Regal General Manager Central Region P. Donaldson Cost of AFP 1995–96 $245.227m Governor-General Source: AFP Annual Report 1995–96 p.107 Sir William Deane General Manager Corporate Services Chris Whyte General Manager Eastern Region Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Government P. W. Baer APM Prime Minister General Manager Executive Support John Howard S. B. Gavin Attorney-General and Minister for Justice General Manager Forensic Services Daryl Williams James Robertson General Manager National Operations A. Mills AM General Manager Northern Region W. L. Antill APM General Manager Professional Development April 1996: The Bangkok liaison post opened. Rod Leffers May 1996: The Chiang Mai liaison post closed. General Manager Protective Services John Davies General Manager Southern Region Nigel Hadgkiss General Manager Technical Support Barry Matson General Manager Western Region Arthur Brown Source: AFP Annual Report 1995–96 p.6 • Bangkok

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Daryl Williams

160 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner and Chief Police Officer for the ACT AFP Personnel 1996–97 Mick Palmer AFP Sworn 2027 1996–97 Assistant Commissioner ACT Bill Stoll AFP Unsworn 640 General Manager Scientific & Technical System & Total 2667 Management Source: AFP Annual Report 1996–97 p.104 Phil Baer Vice Regal Cost of AFP 1996–97 $281.427m Deputy Commissioner Governor-General Adrien Whiddett Source: AFP Annual Report 1996–97 p.127 Sir William Deane General Manager Central Region Sandi Peisley Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Government General Manager Eastern Region Prime Minister Bob McDonald John Howard General Manager Northern Region Minister for Justice Mick Keelty Amanda Vanstone General Manager Southern Region Nigel Hadgkiss General Manager Western Region Andy Wells General Manager National Operations Alan Mills

Deputy Commissioner Jim Allen General Manager Corporate Strategy and Communications Chris Whyte General Manager Professional Development Rod Leffers General Manager Protective Security No new John Davies international liaison posts opened Source: AFP Annual Report 1996–97 p.vi

Prime Minister John Howard

161 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner and Chief Police Officer for the ACT AFP Personnel 1997–98 Mick Palmer AFP Sworn 1931 1997–98 Assistant Commissioner ACT Bill Stoll AFP Unsworn 618 General Manager Scientific & Technical System & Total 2549 Management Source: AFP Annual Report 1997–98 p.114 Phil Baer Vice Regal General Manager Corporate Strategy and Cost of AFP 1997–98 $278.430m Communications Governor-General Source: AFP Annual Report 1997–98 p.137 Sir William Deane Chris Whyte General Manager Professional Development Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Rod Leffers methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Government General Manager Protective Security Prime Minister John Davies John Howard Minister for Justice Deputy Commissioner Amanda Vanstone Adrien Whiddett General Manager Central Region Sandi Peisley General Manager Eastern Region Bob McDonald General Manager Northern Region Mick Keelty 7 January 1998: The Hanoi liaison post opened. General Manager Southern Region Nigel Hadgkiss General Manager Western Region Andy Wells General Manager National Operations Alan Mills

Source: AFP Annual Report 1997–98 p.vi • Hanoi

General Manager Central Region Sandi Peisley

162 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1998–99 Mick Palmer AFP Sworn 1887 1998–99 Deputy Commissioner Adrien Whiddett AFP Unsworn 714 Chief Operating Officer Total 2517 James Kelaher Source: AFP Annual Report 1998–99 p.98 Vice Regal General Manager National Operations Mick Keelty Cost of AFP 1998–99 $274.878m Governor-General Source: AFP Annual Report 1998–99 p.107 Sir William Deane General Manager Eastern Region Bob McDonald General Manager Northern Region Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Government Simon Overland methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Prime Minister General Manager Southern Region John Howard Nigel Hadgkiss Minister for Justice and Customs General Manager Western Region Amanda Vanstone John Davies

General Manager Protective Security Denis McDermott

Assistant Commissioner & Chief Police Officer for the ACT 2 April 1999: The Beijing liaison post opened. Bill Stoll

Source: AFP Annual Report 1998–99 p.vi

Beijing •

Chief Operating Officer James Kelaher

163 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 1999–2000 Mick Palmer AFP Sworn 1976 1999–2000 Deputy Commissioner Adrien Whiddett AFP Unsworn 662 Chief Operating Officer Total 2638 James Kelaher Source: AFP Annual Report 1999–2000 p.91 Vice Regal General Manager National Operations Cost of AFP 1999–2000 $353.806m Mick Keelty Governor-General Source: AFP Annual Report 1999–2000 p.98 Sir William Deane General Manager Northern Operations Tony Negus Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the General Manager Eastern Region Government methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Bob McDonald Prime Minister General Manager Southern Region John Howard Nigel Hadgkiss Minister for Justice and Customs General Manager Western Region Amanda Vanstone John Davies General Manager Corporate Strategy and Communications Chris Whyte General Manager Professional Development Rod Leffers 24 January 2000: The Rangoon liaison post opened Assistant Commissioner and Chief Police Officer of the ACT Bill Stoll General Manager Finance and People Management Simon Overland General Manager Protective Security John Lawler

Source: AFP Annual Report 1999–2000 p.2

• Rangoon

Minister for Justice and Customs Amanda Vanstone

164 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 2000–01 Mick Keelty AFP Sworn 2032 2000–01 Deputy Commissioner Vacant AFP Unsworn 819 Chief Operating Officer Total 2851 Simon Overland Source: AFP Annual Report 2000–01 p.107 Chief Police Officer for the ACT John Murray Vice Regal Cost of AFP 2000–01 $370.603m Governor-General Source: AFP Annual Report 2000–01 p.118 Dr Peter Hollingworth General Manager Southern Region Graham Ashton Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Government General Manager Western Region methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Steve Jackson Prime Minister General Manager Eastern Region John Howard John Lawler Minister for Justice and Customs General Manager Northern Operations Chris Ellison John Davies General Manager International and Federal Operations Andy Hughes 3 July 2000: The Bogota liaison post opened. General Manager Policy and Commercial November 2000:The Hague liaison post opened. Chris Whyte November 2000: Port Vila liaison post opened. General Manager People and Finance 30 June 2001: The Nicosia liaison post closed. Marion Cowden General Manager Protective Security Audrey Fagan

Source: AFP Annual Report 2000 –2001 p.7

• The Hague • Port Vila

Bogota •

Chief Operating Officer Simon Overland

165 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 2001–02 Mick Keelty AFP Sworn 2043 2001–02 Chief Operating Officer Simon Overland AFP Unsworn 1008 Deputy Commissioner Total 3051 John Davies Source: AFP Annual Report 2001–02 p.128 Chief Police Officer for the ACT Vice Regal John Murray Cost of AFP 2001–02 $ 408.584m Governor-General Source: AFP Annual Report 2001–02 p.144 Dr Peter Hollingworth General Manager Eastern John Lawler General Manager Northern Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Government Mark Ney methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Prime Minister General Manager Southern John Howard Graham Ashton Minister for Justice and Customs General Manager Western Chris Ellison Steve Jackson General Manager International Shane Castles

General Manager National 1 July 2001: The Phnom Penh and Beirut liaison posts opened. Ben McDevitt 1 November 2001: The Honiara liaison post opened General Manager People and Finance Marion Cowden January 2002: Rome liaison post closed. General Manager Policy and Commercial Chris Whyte General Manager Protective Security Dennis McDermott Source: AFP Annual Report 2001–2002

•Beirut Honiara •

Phnom Penh •

General Manager People and Finance Marion Cowden

166 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 2002–03 Mick Keelty AFP Sworn 2297 2002–03 Deputy Commissioner John Davies AFP Unsworn 1,199 Chief Operating Officer Total 3496 Trevor Van Dam Australian Protective Service 1091 Chief Police Officer For The Act Vice Regal John Murray Total 4755 Executive Director Source: AFP Annual Report 2002–03 p.203 Governor-General Audrey Fagan Dr Peter Hollingworth Cost of AFP 2002–03 $584.190m General Manager Human Resources Source: AFP Annual Report 2002–03 p.222 Government Mark Ney Prime Minister General Manager International Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the John Howard Shane Castles methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Minister for Justice and Customs General Manager National Chris Ellison Vacant General Manager Northern Barry Turner General Manager Southern Graham Ashton General Manager Western Nick Anticich General Manager Counter Terrorism Ben McDevitt General Manager Eastern Tony Negus General Manager Executive Services John Lawler General Manager Forensics James Robertson No new General Manager Policy And Commercial international liaison Chris Whyte posts opened General Manager Protective And Guarding Steve Jackson Source: AFP Annual Report 2002–2003 p.7

Chief Police Officer for the ACT John Murray

167 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 2003–04 Mick Keelty AFP Sworn 2326 2003–04 Deputy Commissioner John Lawler Protective Service Officers 1145 Chief Police Officer for the ACT AFP Unsworn 1327 John Davies Total 4800 Chief of Staff Vice Regal Audrey Fagan Source: AFP Annual Report 2003–04 p.137 Chief Operating Officer Governor-General Cost of AFP 2003–04 $676.259m Major General Michael Jeffery Trevor Van Dam Source: AFP Annual Report 2003–04 p.157 Government General Manager Protection Tony Negus Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Prime Minister General Manager Counter Terrorism John Howard Graham Ashton Minister for Justice and Customs National Manager Economic and Special Operations Chris Ellison Shane Connelly (Acting) Chief Information Officer Chris Whyte Chief Financial Officer Dianne Carlos

National Manager Forensic and Technical 1 July 2003: The New York liaison post opened. Dr James Robertson National Manager Intelligence Dr Grant Wardlaw National Manager International Deployment Group Shane Castles Source: AFP Annual Report 2003 –04 p.16 New York •

Chief Police Officer for the ACT John Davies

168 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 2004–05 Mick Keelty AFP Sworn 2310 2004–05 Deputy Commissioner John Lawler Protective Service Officers 1206 Chief Police Officer ACT Policing AFP Unsworn 1291 John Davies Total 4807 Chief Operating Officer Vice Regal Trevor Van Dam Source: AFP Annual Report 2004–05 p.124 Chief of Staff Governor-General Cost of AFP 2004–05 $801.950m Major General Michael Jeffery Audrey Fagan Chief Financial Officer Dianne Carlos Source: AFP Annual Report 2004–05 p.137 Government Chief Information Officer Prime Minister Chris Whyte Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. John Howard National Manager Border and International Network Minister for Justice and Customs Mike Phelan Chris Ellison National Manager Counter Terrorism Ben McDevitt National Manager Economic and Special Operations Peter Drennan National Manager Forensic and Technical Dr James Robertson 2003–04: The Pretoria, Dubai and Bali liaison posts opened National Manager Human Resources Mark Ney National Manager Intelligence Dr Grant Wardlaw National Manager International Deployment Group Paul Jevtovic National Manager Protection Tony Negus • Dubai Source: AFP Annual Report 2004–05 p.9

Bali •

• Pretoria

Deputy Commissioner John Lawler

169 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 2005–06 Mick Keelty AFP Sworn 2396 2005–06 Deputy Commissioner John Lawler Protective Service Officers 1257 Chief Police Officer ACT Policing AFP Unsworn 1782 Audrey Fagan Total 5435 Deputy Commissioner Operations Vice Regal Andy Hughes (interim) Source: AFP Annual Report 2005–06 p.165 Chief Operating Officer Governor-General Cost of AFP 2005–06 $909.270m Major General Michael Jeffery Trevor Van Dam Chief of Staff Source: AFP Annual Report 2005–06 p.177 Andrew Colvin Government National Manager Border and International Network Prime Minister Mike Phelan Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the John Howard National Manager Economic and Special Operations methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Minister for Justice and Customs Peter Drennan Chris Ellison National Manager Intelligence Dr Grant Wardlaw National Manager Protection Tony Negus National Manager Aviation Mandy Newton National Manager Forensic and Technical Dr James Robertson Chief Information Officer Chris Whyte Chief Financial Officer Allan Gaukroger National Manager Human Resources Mark Ney National Manager Counter Terrorism No new Frank Prendergast international liaison National Manager International Deployment Group posts opened Paul Jevtovic

Source: AFP Annual Report 2005–06 p.13

Chief Police Officer ACT Policing Audrey Fagan

170 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 2006–07 Mick Keelty Sworn 2501 2006–07 Deputy Commissioner National Security John Lawler Unsworn 2194 Deputy Commissioner Operations Protective Service Officers 1341 Andy Hughes (interim) Total 6036 Chief Operating Officer Vice Regal Mike Phelan (acting) Source: AFP Annual Report 2006–07 p.16 Chief of Staff Governor-General Cost of AFP 2006–07 $1,094.303m Major General Michael Jeffery Andrew Colvin Source: AFP Annual Report 2006–07 p.161 National Manager International Government Tim Morris (acting) Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Prime Minister National Manager Intelligence John Howard Dr Grant Wardlaw Minister for Justice and Customs National Manager Counter Terrorism Frank Prendergast David Johnston National Manager Protection Mark Ney National Manager Aviation Mandy Newton National Manager Human Resources Alan Scott (acting) Chief Financial Officer Allan Gaukroger Chief Information Officer Chris Whyte National Manager Forensic and Technical Dr James Robertson National Manager Border Rudi Lammers (acting) No new National Manager International Deployment Group international liaison Paul Jevtovic posts opened National Manager Economic and Special Operations Peter Drennan Source: AFP Annual Report 2006–07 p.11

National Manager Aviation Mandy Newton

171 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 2007–08 Mick Keelty Sworn 2855 2007–08 Deputy Commissioner National Security John Lawler Unsworn 2402 Deputy Commissioner Operations Protective Service Officers 1341 Tony Negus Total 6598 Chief Police Officer for the ACT Vice Regal Mike Phelan Source: AFP Annual Report 2007–08 p.146 Chief Operating Officer Governor-General Andrew Wood Cost of AFP 2007–08 $1,252.694m Quentin Bryce Chief of Staff Source: AFP Annual Report 2007–08 p.157 Roman Quaedvlieg Government National Manager Border and International Tim Morris Prime Minister National Manager Intelligence Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Kevin Rudd Dr Grant Wardlaw methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Minister for Home Affairs National Manager Counter Terrorism Bob Debus Peter Drennan National Manager Protection Mark Ney National Manager Aviation Mandy Newton

National Manager Human Resources 2007–08: The Guangzhou liaison post opened. Rudi Lammers National Manager Policy and Future Strategies Judy Lind Chief Financial Officer Jon Brocklehurst Chief Information Officer Chris Whyte National Manager Forensic and Data Centres Dr James Robertson • Guangzhou National Manager High Tech Crime Operations Andrew Colvin National Manager International Deployment Group Frank Prendergast National Manager Economic and Special Operations Paul Jevtovic Source: AFP Annual Report 2007–08 p.12

Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus

172 KEY FACTS AFP Senior Officers Selected Statistics Commissioner AFP Personnel 2008–09 Mick Keelty 2008–09 Deputy Commissioner National Security Sworn 2842 Peter Drennan (acting) Unsworn 2233 Deputy Commissioner Operations Protective Service Officers 1219 Tony Negus AIPM 28 Chief Police Officer for the ACT Vice Regal Mike Phelan APG 10 Total 6332 Governor-General Chief Operating Officer Andrew Wood Quentin Bryce Source: AFP Annual Report 2008–09 p.190 Chief of Staff David McLean Cost of AFP 2008–09 $1,242.458m Government National Manager Border and International Source: AFP Annual Report 2008–09 p.207 Prime Minister Ramzi Jabbour (acting) Kevin Rudd National Manager Intelligence Minister for Home Affairs Tim Morris Researchers are advised to consult each annual report to establish that the Brendan O’Connor National Manager Counter Terrorism methodology behind each statistic is appropriate to their needs. Steve Lancaster (acting) National Manager Protection Leanne Close (acting) National Manager Aviation Roman Quaedvlieg National Manager Human Resources 15 June 2009: The Colombo liaison post opened Paul Jevtovic National Manager Policy and Future Strategies Anna Aquilina Chief Financial Officer Jon Brocklehurst Chief Information Officer Rudi Lammers National Manager Forensic and Data Centres Colombo • Dr James Robertson National Manager High Tech Crime Operations Neil Gaughan (acting) National Manager International Deployment Group Frank Prendergast National Manager Economic and Special Operations Mandy Newton Source: AFP Annual Report 2008–09 p.13 Governor-General Quentin Bryce National Police Remembrance Day 2009

173 ACTIVE LIAISON POSTS

2009

London • • The Hague Lyon • • Belgrade Beijing • New York • • Washington • Beirut Islamabad Los Angeles• • Guangzhou Dubai • Hanoi •• Hong Kong Dhaka • • Ho Chi Minh City Rangoon • • • Manila Bangkok • • Phnom Penh • Bogotá • Colombo • Kuala Lumpur • Singapore • Pohnpei (Adviser) Jakarta • Port Moresby •• Dili • Bali •Honiara

•Suva • •Apia (Adviser) • Pretoria Port Vila

•Wellington (Project Manager) Maps provided by AFP Geospatial Services

174 OVERSEAS POLICE MISSIONS

1979–2009

Government Governor General Major General Michael Jeffery Prime Minister John Howard Minister for JusticeCYPRUS• and Customs Duncan Kerr AFGHANISTAN • • JORDAN HAITI • THAILAND • •CAMBODIA SUDAN • • SOMALIA

• PAPUA NEW GUINEA NAURU • MOZAMBIQUE • TIMOR–LESTE • •SOLOMON ISLANDS

• NORTHERN • VANUATU TERRITORY NAMIBIA • • TONGA • SOUTH AFRICA

Maps provided by AFP Geospatial Services

1964–present Cyprus 1994 Mozambique 2004–07 Jordan 2007–12 Cambodia 1989 Thailand 1994–95 Haiti 2006 Sudan 2008 Papua New Guinea 1989–90 Namibia 1997–2003 Papua New Guinea 2006 Tonga 1992–93 Cambodia 1999–present Timor–Leste 2006 Vanuatu 1993–95 Somalia 2003–present Solomon Islands 2007 Afghanistan 1994 South Africa 2004 Nauru 2007 Northern Territory

175

Chapter 8: Before the AFP 1917–79 BEFORE THE AFP

1917–79

The move to a truly federal police in ’ Commonwealth Police Commonwealth Investigations Branch Commonwealth Investigation Service to form Australia took decades to evolve as 1917–1919 1919–1945 the Commonwealth Police in 1960. policing needs to the Commonwealth The Commonwealth Investigations Branch Australian Capital Territory Police gradually emerged. Beginning with In amidst a divisive (CIB) was the eventual successor of the 1927–1979 the tenuous rationale of Billy Hughes debate about conscription, the then Prime Billy Hughes Commonwealth Police. The to form a Commonwealth Police in Minister, William Morris Hughes, while The Australian Capital Territory Police (ACT CIB existed between 1919 and 1945. As 1917 due to the much celebrated egg- addressing a crowd during a train stop at Police) came into being on 28 September an organisation, the CIB was responsible throwing incident at Warwick Station, Warwick, Queensland, was hit by an egg 1927 when 10 members of the for the investigation of breaches of through to the Australian Government’s thrown by a bystander. Commonwealth Peace Officer Guard Commonwealth law and the monitoring reaction to the politically motivated Senior Sergeant Kenny, the local police were sworn in to the new force under of foreign nationals in Australia. The bombing of the Sydney Hilton in 1979, sergeant, refused to take action against the Major (Later Lieutenant Colonel) Harold intelligence on these aliens was so good the nations ‘federal police’ have been offender when ordered to do so by Hughes. Jones, the Director of the Commonwealth that all of them were interned within three shaped to meet the national policing He enquired under what authority the order Investigation Branch, Superintending days of Australia entering the war. The CIB needs of the day. was issued. When Hughes replied that he Peace Officer and Chief Officer of the also conducted counter-espionage work was the Attorney General, Senior Sergeant Federal Capital Territory Police. during World War 2. In 1945, as a result Kenny replied that he was answerable to of the Pinner Report into post war public The ACT Police were first known as the the Government of Queensland, not the service, the CIB was amalgamated with the “Commonwealth of Australia Police” or Commonwealth. Commonwealth Security Service to form the “Federal Capital Territory Police”. This incident is said to have inspired Hughes the Commonwealth Investigation Service. The name was officially changed to the to form the Commonwealth Police. The first Australian Capital Territory Police in 1958 Peace Officer Guard Commonwealth Police were formed in 1917 when a new Commonwealth Police Bill 1925–1960 by Prime Minister Billy Hughes under the was presented to Federal Parliament. This War Precautions Act. The Peace Officer Guard (POG) came into bill proposed a new force comprising existence in 1925 after the NSW Police members of the Peace Officer Guard and In 1919, as part of a re-organisation, the refused to serve Commonwealth warrants on the Commonwealth Investigation Service. Commonwealth Police became known as striking dockers. the Special Investigations Branch, which was The organisation existed until March later re-named the Investigations Branch and The POG were the uniform element of 1975 when it was amalgamated with later still the Commonwealth Investigations Commonwealth law enforcement until the Northern Territory Police and the Branch. its eventual amalgamation with the Commonwealth Police to form the short

178 BEFORE THE AFP

1917–79

lived Australia Police. investigations and counter-espionage Commonwealth Police 11th of November 1975, the day the 1960–1979 Whitlam Government was dismissed by The ACT Police then came back into work as a “go between” agency for the Governor-General. The Bill was later being until its permanent amalgamation the Commonwealth Government, state This organisation was the third rejected by the Fraser Government and into the Australian Federal Police along governments and police, the armed Australian agency to be known as the the three Police services returned to their with the Commonwealth Police and the Commonwealth Police; the previous two forces and the Allies. former roles. Federal Bureau of Narcotics in 1979. being Billy Hughes’ Commonwealth Police In 1945, its functions and remaining Federal Bureau of Narcotics The ACT Police was known variously as and the ACT Police. personnel were absorbed into the 1969–1979 The Federal Capital Territory Police, The The force was made up of plain clothes Commonwealth Investigations Branch, Commonwealth of Australia Police and detectives from the Commonwealth The Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) was the new organisation being known as the the Commonwealth Police at different Investigation Service and the uniform established as part of the Department of stages of its history. Commonwealth Investigations Service. members were from the Peace Officer Customs in 1969. The role of the FBN was to combat the growing international Defence Establishment Guard Commonwealth Investigation Service Guard. drug trade. The FBN established liaison 1935–1939 1945–1960 The Commonwealth Police (COMPOL) posts around the world to cooperate with The Defence Establishment Guard existed between 1960 and 1975, when it The Commonwealth Investigation Service overseas law enforcement agencies in (DEG) was formed under the Peace was briefly a part of the Australia Police. It sharing intelligence that could be used (CIS) was the primary Commonwealth Officer Guard Act in 1935 after civilian then carried on its functions until the final against international drug traffickers. Its watchmen went on strike along with the law enforcement agency and intelligence amalgamation with the ACT Police and the functions and staff were amalgamated into civilian workers at munitions factories. service in the immediate post war Federal Bureau of Narcotics in 1979. the AFP in 1979. period. The Commonwealth Investigation The Defence Establishment Guard was Australia Police 1975 absorbed by the Peace Officer Guard in Service existed between 1945 and The preceding information was originally 1939 at the outbreak of World War 2. 1960. In 1949, the functions of the The Australia Police Bill went before published by the Australian Federal Police Parliament in March 1975. The new Association and is used with permission. former Commonwealth Security Service Commonwealth Security Service force was to be an amalgamation of all were separated into the new Australian 1941–1945 Commonwealth Police Services into one Security Intelligence Organization Formed as a part of the British agency. The Services in question were the Empire’s intelligence network, the (ASIO). In 1960, the CIS amalgamated ACT Police, the Commonwealth Police Commonwealth Security Service (CSS) with the Peace Officer Guard to form the and the Northern Territory Police. The Bill came into being in 1941. It carried out Commonwealth Police. was due for its second reading on the

179 SETTING UP THE AFP

1978–79

In this article, originally written for report and set up a small task force under mid-1970s and were mindful of pro­tecting Sir Robert had also advised Mr Justice Platypus Magazine, John Ireland, an inter-departmental committee­ chaired their professional standing and that of the Williams, heading the Federal Inquiry who worked for the AFP for 25 years by Sir Peter Lawler to implement its major new organisation. The two-component police into Drugs, that it was not a good idea in an executive capacity, recalls the recommendation, the creation of the AFP. force was the biggest compromise and to give the fledgeling organisation the while it served its pur­pose in establishing heady days of setting in place the The task force was headed by Mr Geoff drugs function. However, following Justice the organisation, it continued to divide the administration needed to launch the Halliday, a first assistant secre­tary of the Williams’ report to Government, the AFP until the establishment of the Australian Australian Federal Police. Department of Administrative Services, functions­ and staff of the former Federal Protective­ Service some five years later. Nar­cotics Bureau were transferred from On 19 October 1979, a small group and had as members and principal police Customs to the AFP on 7 November of officers of the former ACT Police, the advisers, Deputy Commissioner­ John Having settled on the legislative frame­ 1979 some 18 days after it commenced Commonwealth Police (COMPOL) and the Johnson (ACT Police) and then Acting work which provided for an operationally operations. Department of Administrative­ Services Assistant Commissioner Roy Farmer independent yet administratively account­ (DAS) breathed a sigh of relief after (Commonwealth Police). Many members of able police service, the task force turned to For those who may wish to reflect on the former forces were involved in the task issues which would impact more directly­ on spending the previous 18 months putting why the protective security function was force deliberations, either as representatives­ the members of the new organisation,­ such together arrangements­ for the Australian separated from the AFP after five years, of their organisation on working­ parties or as pay scales and conditions,­ rank structure, Federal Police to begin operations. one must understand that without that as elected Police Association­ officials. badges of rank and uniform. The process towards creating the new police separation both organisations may not have Complaints procedures force began with the Sydney Hilton Hotel New framework achieved their respective level of skill to bombing­ and the arrival of Sir Robert Mark, It was made clear to all involved from Passage of the AFP Act through the allow the contribution that both are now GBE, QPM, former Commissioner of the the outset that the question of whether Parliament in May 1979 enabled limited able to make as a integrated unit. Metropolitan­ Police in London and Chief there would be an AFP was not open to sections to come into effect on Royal Having worked closely with Sir Robert Mark Constable of the City of Leicester, who debate. The task was to put the organi­ Assent. The first AFP Commissioner, Sir and Sir Colin Woods during the formation of was commissioned­ by the Government sation together, firstly through providing a Colin Woods, was appointed and took over the AFP I believe they would forgive me if I on 1 March that year to report on the legislative base, and then developing the the final planning for the commencement­ was to commend and congratulate on their organisation of police resources in the administrative and operational frame­work of operations. behalf all who have been associated with Commonwealth area. His report was tabled for the new organisation. During this time, Sir Robert returned to the AFP for achieving the vision contained by the Minister on 13 April 1978. Compromise was inevitable. Most Australia to provide further advice to the in the first Ministerial Directive which After an unusually expeditious consideration, participants still had fresh in their minds Government, including the introduction­ of was “the creation of a first class police the Government adopted Sir Robert’s the abortive Australia Police exercise of the complaints against police procedures.­ organisation imbued with integrity.”

182 THE FIRST THIRTY YEARS

INDEX

This index covers Chapters 1-6 and 8, but Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), 73, B Change Management Steering Committee, 39 does not include entries from Chapter 7 due 78 change process, 38 Bali 63, 130 to the numerous facts, figures and names Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering, 67 Cherney, Adrien, 49 Bali 9, the 132 contained there. Information is easily browsed ASIO, 70, 77, 81, 91, 101, 145 Child Sex Tourism, 80 Bangkok 7, 84 in Chapter 7, but for detailed searching, an attrition rate, 33, 46, 47 Cinque, Joe, 114 Bates, Brian 31 electronic version of this document exists on the Aum Shinrikyo, 107 Clarke Inquiry (report), 77, 79, 139 Beazley Report 13 AFP website. Australasian Police Ministers’ Council (APMC), Clarke, Alice, 112 Beijing 47 Go to: www.afp.gov.au and search for and look 85 client surveys, 56, 68, 74 Bender, Katie 112 for the link to: Australasian Women Police Conference, 44 Coastal Protection Unit, 13 Bjelke-Petersen, Sir Joh, 112 Australian Federal Police - The First Thirty Years Australia Police, 145, 148 coastal surveillance, 13, 89 Black Saturday bushfires, 80, 140 Australia’s Critical National Information Coastwatch, 93 bombing, A Infrastructure, 63 Colombia, 54 Australian Embassy in Jakarta, 65 Australian Anti-Terrorism Act 2005, 72 Commissioner’s Medals for Innovation and ABCI, 6, 7, 10, 60, 86 Bali 2002, 59, 60, 62, 127, 128, 129, 146 Australian Assisting Police, 66 Excellence, 64 Access and Equity Plan, 30 Bali, 2005, 69,132, 133 Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence (ABCI), Commissioner’s Work–Life Awards, 49 accommodation, 12, 14, 19, 20, 23, 64, 78 Hakoah Club in Sydney, 88 58, 86 common classification structure, 30 accrual budgeting, 52 Hilton Hotel (Sydney) 9, 59, 180 Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Commonwealth Heads of Government ACT Community Policing, 51, 90, 96, 120 Marriott Hotel Jakarta, 62, 129 Act, 1988 93 (CHOGM), Coolum, 9, 57,126 ACT Police (pre 1979) 2, 7, 12, 15, 95, 120, bottom-of-the-harbour tax avoidance scheme, Australian Capital Territory Police, 144 Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional 144, 145, 147, 148 15, 88, 89 Australian Chemical Biological Radiological Meeting (CHOGRM), 146 ACT Policing (post 1979), 22, 26, 28, 36, 64, Bougainville, 66 Nuclear Data Centre, 78 Commonwealth Investigation Service, 145 68, 73, 74, 78, 107, 119, 121, 122, 123, Bradman, Sir Donald, 122 Australian Crime Commission, 56, 60, 128 Commonwealth Investigations Branch, 144 125, 129, 130, 137 Bramshill House, 3 Australian Federal Police (Legislative Commonwealth Law Enforcement ACT self-government, 13, 15, 28, 93 broad banding, 26 Amendment) Act No 2 1989, 28 Arrangements (CLER), 36, 39, 103 Afghanistan 72, 78, 80, 188 Broomby, Ian, 32 Australian Federal Police Act 1979, 2, 26, 30, Commonwealth Ombudsman, 3 AFP (Amendment) Act, 1984 89 Builders Labourers’ Federation, 9 43, 47, 84, 93 Commonwealth Police (COMPOL), 2, 145, 148 AFP Adjustment Scheme (AFPAS), 94 Burdett, Kathy, 93 Australian Federal Police Act 1979, 84 Commonwealth Police 1917–19, 144 AFP Amendment Bill 1996, 42 Burma, 54 Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA), 26 Commonwealth Police Officers’ Association, 3 AFP Museum, 101, 102, 103, 117, 120 Bush, George (senior), US President, 101 Australian Federal Police College, 110 Commonwealth Security Service, 145 AFP Reform Program, 54, 57 Bush, George (junior), US President, 64 Australian High Tech Crime Centre (AHTCC), 61, Complaints (AFP) Act 1981, 10 AFP Services Centre, 4, 16, 51, 78, 85, 86, bushfires, Canberra, 128 67, 129 complaints, investigation of, 3 88, 99, 109, 128, 133 see also Weston Victoria, Black Saturday 80 Australian National Audit Office (ANAO), 29, 30 Conference of Commissioners of Police of Complex Business Activity Analysis (BAA), 54 Age Tapes, 89 Australian Police Medal 54, 79 Australasia and the South West Pacific AIDEX 98, 99 Australian Police Ministers’ Council 69 C Region, 19 Air Security Officers, 67, 145 Australian Protective Service (APS) 26, 56, 58, Confiscated Assets Trust Fund, 38 Cahill, Ron, 28 aircraft hijackings, 17 60, 61, 68, 89, 91, 92, 95–8, 102, 127, control order, 72 Cambodia, 31, 69, 73, 80, 100 airport policing, 23 130, 145, 148 Conway, John, 112 Career Structure Review (CSR), 26, 27, 92 airport security, 17, 69, 96 Australian Protective Service Act 1987, 92 Conway, Ulrike, 112 Carmel Niland and Associates, 41 Al-Ghamdi, Abdullah, 116 Australian Protective Service Amendment Bill Corporate Reform Program, 47 Cash Transaction Reports Bill 1987, 21 amalgamation, 3, 5, 15, 84, 144, 145, 146 2002, 127 Costigan and Stewart Royal Commissions, 15 Castles, Shane, 74 Anzac Park West, 64, 78 Australian Transactions Reports and Analysis Costigan Report, 17 Certified Agreement, 51, 58, 119 arrangement for the provision of police services Centre, 71 Counter Terrorism, 20, 62, 70 see also Change Implementation Team, 39 to the ACT, 30, 64 Ayers, Tony, 49, 115 Terrorism

183 THE FIRST THIRTY YEARS

INDEX

Counter Terrorism Capacity Building Project, 70 Elliot Report, 39, 104 H InterFET, 51 Counter Terrorism First Response, 67 Ellison, Chris, 54, 123 International Activities, 22 Haiti, 38 Cowden, Marion, 54 Enhanced Cooperation Program, 66 International Deployment Group, 62, 63, 74, Halliday, Geoff, 148 Crime Stoppers, 110 Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, 33 130 Haneef, Dr Mohamed, 77, 108, 137, 139 Crimes (Fingerprinting) Act 1988, 37 Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), 41 International Deployment Group (IDG), 66, 68, Hanoi, 47 Crimes Act 1958, 37 Equity and Diversity, 48 69 Hanson Inquiry, 41 Crimes Amendment (Controlled Operations) Bill Europol, 73, 136 International Peacekeeping, 51 Hanswyk, David, 96 1996, 42 executive exchange programs, 67 International Policing Toward 2020 Conference, Hardwick, Anna, 129 Crimes Amendment (Forensic Procedures) Act 78, 137 Harrison Inquiry, 109 1998 (Cwth) ,47 F International Training Complex, 66 Harrison, Ian 42, 43 CrimTrac, 116 International Working Group on Terrorist Fagan, Audrey, 72, 136 Havelock House, 14 cybercrime, 54 Financing, 67 Family Court, 15, 17 Hawke Government, 12, 20 Cybercrime Act 2001, 61 International Youth Advisory Congress, 139 Farmer, Roy, 6, 30, 148 Hawke Government’s Drug Summit, 17 Cyprus, 47 Internet, 21, 50, 52, 55, 61, 82 Federal Audit of Police Capabilities, 79 Hawke, Bob, 112 Internet Child Pornography, 72 Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 145 heroin shortage, 57 D Interpol, 19 see also Narcotics Bureau Hicks, David, 72, 136 Interpol General Secretary, 119 Debus, Bob, 76, 82 Federal Law Court protection, 13 Hilton Hotel (Sydney) 59, 148 Iraq, 66 Defence Establishment Guard, 144 Federal Police Association, 2 High Tech Crime Operations (HTCO), 78, 80, Ireland, John, 148 demonstrations, 14, 87see also protests Fiji, 63, 65, 74 138 Islamabad, 16 Department of Local Government and Finance and Public Administration, 36 hijack, 90 Islamic Liaison Team, 77 Administrative Services, 17 fixed terms, 28, 30, 44, 93, 97 Hill, Steve, 109 disaster victim identification, 66 flexible teams-based structure, 56 Hong Kong, 16 J Downer, Alexander, 61 Focusing on Fraud (the Elliot Report), 36 Horta, Jose Ramos, 78, 138 Drug Harm Index, 68 Fraser Coalition Government, 2, 12 House of Representatives Standing Committee Jakarta, 7, 12, 16, 84 Drug Liaison posts, 61 Fraser, Malcolm, 9 on Banking, 36 Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement drug-free workforce, 43 Freedom of Information Act, 10 Howard Coalition Government, 41 Cooperation (JCLEC), 65, 81, 70 Dubai, 63 Fringe Benefit Tax, 32 Howard, John, 46, 74 Jakarta Operations Centre, 70 Duffy, Michael, 96 functional management model, 65 Hughes, Andy, 74, 136, 137 Japan and South Korea, 69 Dujanah, Abdullah, 136 functional model, 130 Hughes, William Morris (Billy), 144 Jemaah Islamiyah, 60, 127, 137 Dunning, Adam, 65 Human trafficking, 79 Jervis Bay, 33 Durack, Peter, 10 G Humphries, Gary, 51 Jintao, Hu, (Chinese President) 64 Gay and Lesbian Issues in Policing, 49 Johnson, John, 3, 148 E global financial downturn, 82 I Joint Asian Crime Group, 80 Joint Counter Terrorism Teams, 67 early cessation program, 46 globalisation, 45 Identity Crime, 71 Joint Management Review, 17 East Timor, 47, 51, 55, 119 Gold Coast office, 123 Identity Crime Taskforce, 63, 67 Jordan, 63 see also Timor-Leste Grey, Ron, illegal immigrants, 119, 122 Justice Hope’s Review, 5 Eastman, David, 28, 106 biography, vii illicit drug testing, 110 Economic and Special Operations, 81 career, Chapter 2 Indian Ocean tsunami, 66 K e-crime, 52, 54 Grosvenor, Kathryn, 126 Indonesia, 69 (EBB), 78 Guangdong province, 76 Indonesian National Police (INP), 57 Kalejs, Konrad, 113 efficiency dividend, 32, 33, 37, 45, 46, 58 guarding function, 12 intelligence capability, 33 Keating, Paul, 31 Electronic Crime, 54 Gusmao, Xanana, 78 intelligence-driven investigation, 50 Kendall, Ray, 119

184 THE FIRST THIRTY YEARS

INDEX

Kennedy, Reg, 2 Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, 61 O Operation Brazil 121 Keelty, Mick, mobile strike teams, 50 Operation Breaker 87 O’Connor, Brendan, 79, 82 biography, viii Mokbel, Tony, 73, 138 Operation Brogue 108 Office of Strategic Crime Assessments, 60 career, Chapter 5 Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986, 99 Operation Bronte 118 Office of the AFP, 8 Kerr, Duncan, 108 Mozambique, 38 Operation Bud 99 Office Structures Review, 27 Kevin Newman, 2, 86 Mr Asia, 90 Operation Bushlark 121 Olympic Games, 49, 54, 66, 105, 120, 122 Kim Beazley, 12, 87 Multiculturalism, 16 Operation Buttress 87 Ombudsman, 4 Kuala Lumpur,7, 12, 84 multi-skilled operational team model, 38 Operation Cabaret 120 online child sexual abuse, 67 murder, 88, 89, 90, 114, 116, 129, 137 Operation Caboolture 126 online child sexual exploitation, 70 L Colin Winchester, 28 Operation Calgary 106 Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team, 72 Murphy, Pat, 6 Operation Camber 104 Laos, 76 Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team, (OCSET) Murray, John, 54 Operation Camino 76 Law Enforcement and National Security 70 Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill Operation Canister 115 (Assumed Identities) Act 1998 (NSW), 47 Opal Group, 67 1987, 21 Operation Canola 106 Law Enforcement Cooperation Program (LECP), Opas, David, Justice, 85 Operation Caravan 109 51, 66, 79, 115, 130 Operation Abilene, 111 N Operation Caravel 119 Lawler, John, 78 Operation Affcot, 125 Operation Caribou 105, 106, 108 Lawler, Sir Peter, 148 Narcotics Bureau, 2, 7, 84, 148 Operation Alliance, 62, 127see also bombings Operation Caspian 117 Lebanon, 73 National Automated Fingerprint Identification Bali Operation Catskill 122 liaison network, 7, 12, 22, 30, 33, 45, 54, System (NAFIS), 123 Operation Alpha–Gazebo 107 Operation Centurion 80, 141 65,145, 146 National Community Engagement Strategy, 77 Operation Alyssum 118 Operation Chair 100 Lodhi, Faheem, 72 National Crime Authority (NCA), 15, 89 Operation Amicus (Task Force Phoenix) 140 Operation Chandelier 117 London, 7, 16 National Criminal Investigation DNA Database, Operation Anchorage 124 Operation Charlie Yield 131 Los Angeles, 12, 87 116 Operation Anthem 110 Operation Chowder 112 Love Bug and Anna Kournikova viruses, 54 National Criminal Investigation DNA Database Operation Aquatic 112 Operation Chronicle 119 Loyal Regiment of Australian Guardians, 107 (NCIDD), 123 Operation Arcadia 128 Operation Civic 101 National Illicit Drug Strategy, 51 Operation Arizona 107 Operation Cleric 114 M National Missing Persons Unit, 64 Operation Attica 122 Operation Coat 93 management review, 13 National Missing Persons Week, 141 Operation Auxin 67, 131 Operation Coltsfoot 109 Manila, 16, 19 National Operations Model, 108 Operation Avian 114 Operation Comity 138 Mark, Sir Robert, 146, 147, 148 National Police Memorial, 74, 75, 135 Operation Avoca 107 Operation Conrad 112 Marriott Hotel, 62 National Police Research Unit, 10 Operation Backhoe 123 Operation Coolibah 117 McAulay, Peter, National Security, 79 Operation Bangle 103 Operation Currawong 121 biography, viii National Security Hotline, 62 Operation Bantu 103, 130, 131 Operation Cyclops 111, 117 career, Chapter 3 National Security Statement (NSS), 81 Operation Big Boy 98 Operation Dabble 96 McClelland, Robert, 77 Nauru, 73 Operation Bionic 100 Operation Degree 111 McLeay, John, 4 Negus, Tony, vi, 78, 82 Operation Birthday 117 Operation Deva 130 Measuring the AFP’s Performance, 71 Neighbourhood Watch, 17, 90 Operation Blade 113 Operation Dial 120 Meat Industry, 9 Netherlands, The, 54 Operation Bluewing 124 Operation Diamond 86 media, leaks to, 20, 41 New South Wales Crime Commission, 138 Operation Bonsai 116 Operation Diesel 109 Medifraud, 88 New Zealand, 12 Operation Bott 120 Operation Dilute 121 Migration Act 1958, 54 Niland Report, 41, 107 Operation Boundary 88 Operation Djura 119 Minister for Administrative Services, 4 Norfolk Island, 30 Operation Brawlins 107 NSW Crime Commission, 76 Operation Dogwood 96

185 THE FIRST THIRTY YEARS

INDEX

Operation Doona 111 Operation Jabot 128 Operation Novella 118 Operation Scallop 111 Operation Dulcet 129 Operation Kevlar 125 Operation Oatmeal 111 Operation Scroll 87 Operation Dynamite 110 Operation Kodiak 115 Operation Octad 122 Operation Scythe 117 Operation Eastlake 114 Operation Kyanite 129 Operation Octans 76 Operation Sea King 107 Operation Emporium 121 Operation Lavender 20 Operation Octavo 120 Operation Sennet 129 Operation Entasi 116 Operation Leman 128 Operation Odessa 116 Operation Serac 129 Operation Everglade 124 Operation Leo 104 Operation Opus 120 Operation Serval 128 Operation Extra 106 Operation Lilac 93 Operation Orion 86 Operation Shard 120 Operation Falcon 67 Operation Lingo 117 Operation Oslo 121 Operation Silver Eye 121 Operation Feria 123, 124 Operation Linnet 116 Operation Overhead 109 Operation Skeet 123 Operation Fibula 111 Operation Liver 101 Operation Paper Tiger 99 Operation Skidoo 113 Operation Figbird 119 Operation Locarno 127 Operation Paradox 107 Operation Skipsea 77 Operation Flange 111 Operation Logrunner 122 Operation Paradox 37 Operation Snowsafe 109 Operation Fluoride 115 Operation Logwood 130 Operation Parma 114 Operation Sorbet 128 Operation Flute 100 Operation Magnetic 118 Operation Parthian 119 Operation Soy 95 Operation Fordo 128 Operation Mannikin 129 Operation Peat 94 Operation Spanner 107 Operation Frogmouth 122 Operation Mano 121 Operation Pekoe 127 Operation Sparkler/Gem 120 Operation Furious 141 Operation Maraca 118 Operation Pendennis 70, 133 Operation Spiral 94 Operation Gallon 108 Operation March Hare 107 Operation Pentium 107 Operation Stanchion 121 Operation Gantry 119 Operation Mariner–Hyde 114 Operation Percolate 116 Operation Stark 115 Operation Gentle 117 Operation Matrix 103 Operation Phoenix 140 Operation Stockman 116 Operation Geronimo 99 Operation May Pole 109 Operation Pigment 123 Operation Sussex 121 Operation Gilgai 125 Operation Mender 121 Operation Pita 113 Operation Tabula 126 Operation Girra 76 Operation Mentor 114 Operation Pittsburgh 125 Operation Taglia 128 Operation Global 85 Operation Meranti 141 Operation Plaque 115 Operation Talma 140 Operation Goldbeck 116 Operation Mersey 126 Operation Platypus I 112 Operation Tamarind 111 Operation Goliath 108 Operation Midas 95 Operation Platypus II 112 Operation Tapir 97 Operation Graze 102 Operation Miner 122 Operation Pleach 137 Operation Targus 124 Operation Greenfinch 121 Operation Molotov–Calculus 110 Operation Plexor 122 Operation Teacup 97 Operation Gymea 123 Operation Mombasa 109 Operation Pluton 113 Operation Tennessee 129 Operation Gyrus 127 Operation Mondo 127 Operation Polecat 117 Operation Tensor 117 Operation Halite 68, 127 Operation Montego 121 Operation Postscript 90 Operation Themis 78 Operation Halophyte 136 Operation Mungite 119 Operation Puritan 108 Operation Tibia 113 Operation Hannibal 113 Operation Natant 126 Operation Putter 113 Operation Titanium 102 Operation Hebrides 125 Operation Neon 91 Operation Quokka 112 Operation Toboggan 117 Operation Hellenic 121 Operation Nepean 104 Operation Rain 77 Operation Toggle 87 Operation Helpem Fren 62, 129 Operation New Deal 129 Operation Redwing 122 Operation Tourney 124 Operation Hibachi 119 Operation Niacin 109 Operation Resistance 80 Operation Trampoline 114 Operation Hickey 135 Operation Nimble 116 Operation Ridgecrop–Norway 77 Operation Transvaal 127 Operation Illinois 119 Operation Nirvana 107 Operation Rock 87 Operation Trellis 114 Operation Inca 76 Operation Nitric 110 Operation Sachet 102 Operation Typhoon 112 Operation Indus 124 Operation Noah 37 Operation Sack 119 Operation Uphold Democracy 106 Operation Isobar 100 Operation Norse–Oden 106 Operation Safe City 102 Operation Vaccine 112

186 THE FIRST THIRTY YEARS

INDEX

Operation Varnish 113 police rank structure, 27 (Wheeler Report), 69 Transnational Crime Coordination Centres, 63 Operation Verdant 129 Police Realtime On-line Management Review of Commonwealth Law Enforcement Tullamarine, 8 Operation Vivify 130 Information System (PROMIS), 111 Arrangements (CLER), 103 Turkish Consul-General, 85 Operation Wafer 106 Police Staff College, 3 Ridgeway v The Queen (1995), 39, 42 Operation Wahoo 124 police unions, 2 Roche, Jack, 62 U Operation Walkman 118 policing in the ACT, 17, 30, 15, 55, 58 Royal Canberra Hospital, implosion, 112 UNAMET, 51 Operation Wallah 42 Pope John Paul II, 91 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Unification, 28 Operation Wand 105 Port Moresby, 66 Custody, 33 Unified Policing Model (UPM), 69, 73, 135 Operation Whaler 96 Pretoria, 63 Royal Commission into the Australian Meat Unified Workforce, 29, 93, 95, 96 Operation Zeal 127 Price Waterhouse Associates, 13 Industry, 86 United Nations Border Relief Operation, 94 Operation Pataka 124 Proceeds of Crime Act 1987, 92 Royal Commission into the NSW Police, 40, UNTAET, 51 Operation Wedgebill 124 Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, 61 106 operational model, 40 Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act 1996, 110 V Overland, Simon, 54 Proceeds of Crime Amendment Bill 2002, 126 T Valentin, John, 32 Proceeds of Crime Bill 1987, 21 Tampa, 124 Vanstone, Amanda, 41, 43, 45, 51, 52 P Program 1 review, 40 Tate, Michael, 21, 92 Vanuatu, 31, 65, 73, 81 Paddy’s Bar ,59, 127 Project Wickenby, 76, 138 Taxation Administration Act, 1953 21 Vanuatu Police Force, 74 Pakistan, 81 protection services, 62, 68 Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979, Virtual Global Taskforce, 67 Palmer, Mick, protective component, 2, 5, 6 26 biography, viii protective service 68, 89 Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment W Protective Service Officer, 65 career, Chapter 4 Bill 1987, 21 Wanggirrali Ngurrumbai Centre, 64 protests 9, 14, 109, see also demonstrations Papua New Guinea, 31 telephone intercept, 21 Washington, 16 Public Service Act 1922, 30 Paralympic Games, 46 terrorism, 17, 20 Watson, Pearl, 89 Queen, Her Majesty the, 100 Parliament House, (old), 72, 87, 93, 109 Terrorism Prevention-Law Enforcement Watson, Ray, 89 Parliament House, (new) 22, 119, 131 Information Sharing workshop, 70 R Wellington, 7, 16, 84, 87 Patanela, 93 terrorism, September 11, 56 Wenge, Luther, 66 Patton, Janelle, 126 Rainbow, 18 Terrorism: The Wider Law Enforcement Context, Weston Complex, 51 Peace Officer Guard, 144 RAMSI, 73 63 Wheeler Review, 73 Peniche, Carlos Cabal, 117 Random breath testing, 87 terrorist attacks When the Roof Became Stars, 129 people smuggling, 51, 57, 61, 118 Rapid Response Team, 65 Glasgow Airport, 77 Whiddett, Adrien, 31 People’s Republic of China, 22, 69, 92 Recruiting, 58 Mumbai, 81 Wilkins Review, 82, 140 Pereira, Fernando, 18 redundancies, 33 Thailand, 69 Williams, Daryl, 40, 41, 109 performance bonus program, 48 Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Thomas, Joseph, 72 Winchester Police Centre, 105 Performance Management Program (PMP), 95 Islands (RAMSI), 62 Thredbo landslide, 113 Winchester, Colin, 26, 28, 76, 94, 100, 106 Phelan, Michael, 78 Regional Rapid Deployment Teams, 67 Timor-Leste, 63, 66 Wood, Andrew, 78 Philippines Bomb Data Centre, 70 Regionalisation, 30 Timor-Leste Police Development Program, 80 Woods, Sir Colin Phuket, 66 Reinado, Alfredo, 138 Tonga, 65, 73, 80 biography, vii Platypus (staff magazine), 3, 84 Reith, Peter, 32 Tough on Drugs, 45, 114, 115 career, Chapter 1 Police Complaints Act, 4 Report of the Commonwealth Law Enforcement training, 3, 6, 7, 12, 16, 18, 19, 33, 38, 49, work–life diversity, 64 Police Court Diversionary Scheme, 37 Arrangements (CLER), 36 54, 55, 66, 67, 77 World Cup, 90 Police Forensic Science Institute, 10 Resources Review, 33 transnational crime, 55 World Trade Centre in New York, 125 Police Ministers’ Council, 6 restructure, 31 Transnational Crime Coordination Centre, 60, Young, Mick, 13, 17, 20 Police Overseas Service Medal (POSM), 98 Review of Airport Security and Policing, 127

187 Questions – Comments – Feedback This document has been produced by the AFP’s Recognition and Ceremonial Team as part of the AFP History Project. The information has been drawn from 30 years of AFP annual reports, media releases and other information previously released to the public and collected into the one document for ease of access. Questions, comments and feedback regarding the content of this document should be emailed to:

[email protected]

Written by Terry Browne

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