Australia

Australia (which was visited by the Committee in July 2018) has adopted a comprehensive and multi-layered approach to CVE under the coordination of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The National Counter-Terrorism Plan 2017 included a specific section on CVE in its chapter on “Prevention”, with reference to three key objectives: (i) building resilience; (ii) supporting the diversion of individuals at risk; and (iii) rehabilitating and reintegrating violent extremist offenders. Those objectives were further developed at the Commonwealth-level through the adoption of a nationwide CVE programme for the period 2014-2018 entitled “Living Safe Together”, which emphasized early intervention, community engagement, and addressing online radicalization. Elements of that programme continue to be implemented. The programme also encourages awareness-raising for frontline officials, including school leaders, law enforcement agents, and health workers, aimed at facilitating early intervention with respect to individuals at risk of becoming radicalized to violent extremism conducive to terrorism The Government uses a range of online and open media channels to provide information to the public on Australia’s range of CVE strategies, policies, and programmes.