Roundup: Australian counter-terror efforts must include regional partners: gov't

Australia's counter terrorism minister praised his government's efforts on Tuesday in countering the rising threat of terrorism but admitted addressing the constantly-changing threat continued to be a priority.

In an address to National Security Summit in Canberra, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter Terrorism Michael Keenan said Australia's response to terrorism, particularly the threat posed by Islamic State (IS), had been positive, but the "evolving" nature of terror requires full commitment within counter terrorism offices in Australia and neighboring nations.

"Threats to Australia's national interests and to the security and stability of our region are diverse and evolving," Keenan said.

"Those who seek to destabilize our region, challenge our security, and threaten our values as a free and democratic society, are increasingly sophisticated in the way they operate.

"We must be agile if we are to keep pace with threats as they emerge and evolve."

Keenan said there was a particular recent focus on ensuring regional safety as well as domestic safety, as Southeast Asia was a short hop for potential terrorists looking to target Australian soil.

Following his trip to Indonesia earlier this month, in which Keenan met with counter-terrorism representatives from more than 20 countries, Australia has begun talks about a coordinated approach to cutting the cash flow from Asia-Pacific nations to terror organizations such as IS.

"We expect the terrorism threat to increase in Southeast Asia," he said, "We know that at least 500 people, and possibly more than 800, have already traveled from Southeast Asian countries to fight in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq."

"The return of these fighters to the region has the potential to place unprecedented strains on Southeast Asia's security infrastructure, and on the security and stability of the region more broadly.

"Our best defence to this global threat is to work together with international partners, so that as our enemies work across borders, we too can support our allies."

Keenan said Australia's anti-terror laws were evolving with the threat, adding that changes such as allowing the army to step in for domestic terror-related was prime example of actively attempting to nip the terror threat in its bud.

"Our national security and counter terrorism legislation is under constant review to ensure our law enforcement, security, and intelligence agencies have the tools and powers they need to proactively respond to the threat," he told the National Security Summit.

The minister also said more Australians were being arrested on terror-related charges than ever before, with more Australians arrested in the last two years than the 13 years previously - dating back to 9/11.

"The increased tempo is also starkly illustrated by the number of people charged with terrorism offences - since the national terrorism threat level was raised, 47 people have been charged as a result of 18 counter terrorism operations around Australia. That's over half of all terrorism related charges since 2001," Keenan said.

The minister added that the nation's Immigration Department was also working hard to ensure the safety of Australia through its new laws which result in the cancellation of Australian passports if dual nationals travel to join the IS caliphate in the Middle East.

"Since 2012, around 200 Australians have traveled to Syria or Iraq to join the conflict," Keenan said.

"Over 180 Australian passports have been canceled or refused in relation to the conflict and at least 57, and potentially as many as 65, Australians are believed to have been killed as a result of their involvement."

Keenan concluded his speech by acknowledging the changing threat of counter-terrorism, stressing that maintaining strong, international relationships regarding counter-terrorism was the best way to ensure the safety of citizens in the Asia-Pacific. Endit