National security strategy faces a radical shake-up, with home-grown terrorists recognized as a greater threat to Australia than foreigners, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported on Saturday.
The federal government is considering putting more resources into building relationships with vulnerable local communities rather than solely pumping more funds into intelligence agencies, the newspaper report.
The federal government will also significantly broaden the definition of national security to include non-conventional threats such as climate change, natural disasters and the economy.
Sources said that as part of the overhaul, the government would reassess threats to Australia, both external and internal. It would then determine the most effective ways of using the nation's resources - whether military, policing or funding - to meet those threats.
For example, in dealing with civil unrest in the region, the government will look at the current use of military and police assets and consider whether it is better to establish a hybrid force - with the right combination of skills - to be deployed to South Pacific hot spots.
The report said that the government's National Security Committee met before Christmas and decided to recast the national security challenge into a number of key areas, including trade, the economy, overseas aid, defense, counter-terrorism and diplomacy.
Departmental and agency heads were then asked to submit detailed papers setting out ideas to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, which will draw them together.
Source: Xinhua
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