Joint media statement - Staying strong in the face of terror

The emergence of ISIL and its ability to influence and radicalise people across the world has produced the most significant ongoing threat to our national security from terrorism in our history.

That is why today, at an undisclosed location in Maylands, Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter-Terrorism, Michael Keenan, and Western Australian Deputy Premier and Minister for Police, Liza Harvey, observed part of Exercise Spartan - a three day tactical operation (April 19- 21), which saw more than 500 personnel from nine Commonwealth and state agencies, including the Western Australia Police Tactical Response Group, Australian Federal Police and Australian Defence Force personnel, work together to respond to a simulated complex terrorism incident.

Minister Keenan said Exercise Spartan was yet another excellent example of the Commonwealth, state and territory governments' commitment to ensure Australia's national security was well coordinated and effective across the country.

"Australia is at the forefront of international efforts to counter terrorism and our agencies are using every tool in their arsenal to investigate, monitor, arrest and prosecute home-grown violent extremists," Mr Keenan said.

"But the national security challenges Australia faces are fluid. We must continue to test our capabilities and legislation to meet emerging challenges and ensure our law enforcement and intelligence agencies have the resources and powers they need to deal with this threat."

Minister Harvey said Exercise Spartan was a critical activity for Western Australia's security agencies, with states and territories the first responders in the event of a terrorist attack.

"While our hope is that this kind of event will not happen here, the current threat environment and recent overseas events mean we need to be ready - and we are," Mrs Harvey said.

"We cannot eliminate the risk of terrorism any more than we can eliminate the risk of any serious crime, but we can mitigate it by ensuring our state agencies work seamlessly with Commonwealth agencies to respond to this evolving threat."

Exercise Spartan is part of the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee's national exercise program, designed to ensure Australia's national counter-terrorism arrangements are as effective as possible.

Deputy Premier and Police Minister's office - 6552 5900