Australia to host inaugural Sub-Regional Defence Ministers’ Meeting on Counter-Terrorism: The Perth Meeting, 1-2 Feb 2018

Australia will host the inaugural Sub-Regional Defence Ministers’ Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in Perth, between 1 and 2 February 2018.
 
The Perth Meeting is a new forum which brings together ministers from Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation in our region.
 
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said this meeting is an opportunity to discuss the important contribution made by defence organisations to whole-of-government and law enforcement-led efforts to combat terrorism.
 
In the wake of recent success against Daesh in the Middle East, we need to guard against South East Asia becoming a new front line for terrorism – including the possibility that some extremists will attempt to return to our region.
 
“As we have seen in recent operations against Daesh in the Philippines, defence forces play a vital role in working with law enforcement agencies to disrupt terrorist groups from operating freely in our region,” Minister Payne said.
 
“Together we will discuss the threat Daesh and other terrorist groups pose to regional security and explore practical measures to enhance regional counter-terrorism cooperation.
 
“This new forum will enhance our ability to respond to these challenges together, to prevent terrorist groups from gaining a foothold in our region.
 
“Terrorism in our region is a collective challenge that requires a collective response,” she said.