PM to outline plan for keeping Australians safe amid growing threats

The prime minister will lay out his plan for keeping Australians safe amid growing threats within its own borders and outside them in a national address

"We look forward to seeing you back home, Hakeem": Scott Morrison.

"We look forward to seeing you back home, Hakeem": Scott Morrison. Source: AAP

The prime minister will lay out his plan for keeping Australians safe amid growing threats within its own borders and outside them in a national address.

Scott Morrison is set to argue that his government can keep Australians safe amid local and global threats, ranging from violence against women and children to tensions between the world's greatest powers.

The prime minister will make the case in an address at the National Press Club in Canberra on Monday, where he will announce $78 million in fresh funding for families escaping domestic abuse.them in a national address.

 

He will also showcase coalition policies such as its record defence spending over the coming decade and its border protection systems.

"Our government has demonstrated we have the mettle to make the right calls on our nation's security," he is expected to tell the event.

"We have embraced tough calls rather than seeking to buy weak compromises for cheap political cover or opportunism.

"This is our form. It is why we can be trusted."

Mr Morrison is expected to say that Australia is facing "new and emerging threats", both outside its borders and within them.

Among the local threats is domestic violence, and he'll announce $78 million in funding to support emergency accommodation for women and their children escaping abuse and security upgrades for their homes.

Worldwide threats include regional tensions between major powers, greater global instability, foreign interference, terrorism, organised crime, cybersecurity issues and money laundering.

He'll also highlight stiff headwinds facing the global economy.

"Economic strength and our country's security are interdependent."

Australia's national security is closely linked to the broader safety of the Indo-Pacific region, Mr Morrison is expected to stress how.

"Australia and our partners face diverse security threats - from North Korea's long-range missile and nuclear programs, to state fragility, to Islamist terrorism - that challenge our interests," he'll say.

"We want to see an open, rules-based Indo-Pacific where the rights of all states are respected.

"So my government is strengthening our partnerships in the region and beyond, to protect our security and our sovereignty."

The address comes ahead of federal parliament sitting again for two weeks from Tuesday.

The opposition and the coalition are expected to slug it out over the fortnight on who is tougher on boats and banks.

Labor Leader Bill Shorten says he's open to finding a "middle ground" with the government on proposed changes to the way sick asylum seekers are transferred to Australia, but they haven't yet.

The opposition also wants the government to add two weeks of sittings in March in order to deal with the recommendations of the banking royal commission.

But the coalition is resisting the calls, saying while some work on the royal commission response can be done quickly, more time is needed to draft legislation and negotiate with the states on court reform.


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