Australia, Jordan sign anti-terror agreement

Australia and Jordan have signed an anti-terror agreement to stamp out terror funding and money laundering, Australia's Justice Minister announced on Thursday.

Michael Keenan, who is also Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter-Terrorism, said the agreement between Australia's financial intelligence agency, AUSTRAC, and its Jordanian counterpart, the AMLU, would "facilitate the immediate exchange of vital financial intelligence" on matters of serious financial crime including terror funding.

"Given Jordan's close proximity to the conflict in Syria, Iraq, and that foreign terrorist fighters are constantly looking for new ways to finance their despicable acts, this Memorandum of Understanding is crucial in our fight against terrorism," Keenan said in a statement released on Thursday.

Terrorism financing can fund individual attacks and operations, but it also helps to support the less violent or obvious aspects, such as living expenses, travel, and compensation for wounded fighters.

Cutting off the funds at the source can make a significant difference to national security here in Australia, in our region and beyond, he said.

The agreement was signed during a visit by King Abdullah II of Jordan to Canberra, where he and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull both vowed to continue to work together to help Syrian refugees and achieve peace in the Middle East. Endit