Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™ LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Govt targets online terror fundraising

Terrorist financing and the cross-border threat of extremists will be on the agenda at high level international talks in Bali this week.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull age/Brendan Esposito) NO ARCHIVING

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Justice Minister Michael Keenan. Source: AAP

Online criminals are in the sights of Australian intelligence officials in a new crack cyber team.

The new team, announced by Justice Minister Michael Keenan on Tuesday, is part of financial intelligence agency AUSTRAC and will target online terrorism financing, financial fraud, money laundering and criminal networks.

"We know that the national security threat to our nation and globally is unprecedented and modern technologies are presenting new and evolving threats - none more so than from malicious cyber activity," Mr Keenan said in a statement.

It will also work with New Zealand authorities to track down job recruitment scams that recruit innocent people as money mules.

Mr Keenan and Attorney-General George Brandis are joining counterparts from more than 20 countries in Bali this week to discuss the cross-border terrorism threat, homegrown extremists and foreign fighters, and increased information sharing.

Senator Brandis said while Australia was regarded as a world leader in the fight against terrorism, the threat was so pervasive that nations could not afford to go it alone.

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo is due to deliver a keynote address on Wednesday.


1 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world