Public reports of terror-related activities up 300 pct: Aussie gov't

The Australian government's crackdown on terrorism financing and stopping those who provide support to terrorist organisations is working, according to the minister assisting the prime minister on counter terrorism.

Michael Keenan, also Australia's Minister for Justice, released a statement on Wednesday, which detailed the government's recent efforts to cut the flow of money and information heading to terrorist organisations from Australia.

Keenan said the recent boost in counter-terrorism funding had led to a 300 percent increase in reports of suspicious matters, giving intelligence agencies the scope to track and take action on suspected illegal activity.

"Last year, the Australian Government provided AUSTRAC - Australia's primary financial intelligence agency - with an additional 14 million U.S. dollars to strengthen the detection and disruption of terrorism financing," Keenan said in the statement.

"Today AUSTRAC's annual report reveals 536 suspicious matter reports (SMRs) in the 2014-15 year were referred to the Australian Federal Police and the Australia Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) on suspicion of terror financing links.

"This is a 300 percent increase on the year before. Industry reported 367 instances of suspected terrorism financing, with additional AUSTRAC assessment of all suspicious matter reports making up the total of 536."

He said as a result of the funding, the government now had eyes and ears on more than 100 "suspicious" characters.

"At present AUSTRAC is monitoring more than 100 people of interest and keeping partner agencies informed about suspicious financial activities," Keenan said.

"Terrorism financing underpins and enables the work of extremists - putting us all at risk.

"The Government is determined to detect and disrupt terrorism financing in Australia and take action against people who provide support to terrorist organisations." Endit