The AFP and Tasmania Police have strengthened their joint ability to combat child exploitation and terrorism, officially opening a new purpose-built operational facility in Hobart this week.
The new facility will be shared by AFP members and Tasmania Police, with the joint presence enhancing intelligence sharing, operational coordination and the development of specialist investigative capabilities.
The co-located team will work to prevent, detect, and investigate online child exploitation offences. They will target offenders involved in the production, possession and distribution of child abuse material, as well as those seeking to offend against children through travel-related activity.
Investigators from both agencies will share intelligence, analytical resources and specialist expertise to identify, disrupt and dismantle child exploitation networks, and support nationally coordinated investigations through the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) and Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) partnership models.
They will work closely with domestic and international law enforcement partners to protect children from harm and strengthen counter-terrorism outcomes.
The enhanced arrangement includes a dedicated co-located workspace for Tasmania Police's High Risk Child Exploitation Unit and AFP personnel, furthering joint training, knowledge sharing and professional development opportunities to support their shared commitment to protecting vulnerable members of the community and safeguarding Australia from terrorism.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Hans Koenderink said the new facility represented a significant milestone in the longstanding partnership between the AFP and Tasmania Police.
“We are extremely pleased to open this new operational facility for our joint investigative teams in Hobart and look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Tasmania Police," Assistant Commissioner Koenderink said.
“Co-location allows our agencies to work more closely than ever before, improving the way we share intelligence, coordinate operations, combine specialist capabilities and target offenders who seek to harm our communities.
“By bringing our people together under one roof, we are strengthening our collective ability to protect children, disrupt criminal activity and keep Australians safe."
Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Rob Blackwood APM said the new facility would further strengthen the longstanding partnership between Tasmania Police and the AFP.
“Tasmania Police values highly its partnership with the Australian Federal Police in building safer communities,” Assistant Commissioner Blackwood said.
“This new facility in Hobart strengthens the capability of our investigators as they continue their valuable work to detect offenders and disrupt serious criminal activity.”