The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), in an effort to enhance domestic and regional security, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Sandy Macdonald, and the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, announced today. The agreement was signed in Canberra today between Chief Defence Scientist, Dr Roger Lough and AFP Commissioner, Mick Keelty.

“This MOU will establish a framework to enable both organisations to support each other in areas of defence, security, counter terrorism, surveillance and forensic technologies,” Senator Macdonald said. Minister Ellison said DSTO has a long association with the AFP, having already worked closely with Federal Police officers in areas of computer forensics and the Bali bombings.

“This agreement reflects the ongoing commitment by the Howard Government to strong and efficient co-operation between government
departments,” he said. Senator Macdonald said DSTO and the AFP are currently working on a number of joint projects related to national security. “I welcome this move, which will see Australia’s premier defence science research body work in cooperation with the AFP on many more projects into the future, boosting the security of Australia,” Senator Macdonald said. DSTO is also assisting other government agencies in developing capabilities to enhance domestic and regional security.