As one of the first financial intelligence units (FIUs) to be established worldwide and as a leading FIU in the region, AUSTRAC is in a prime position to offer support in establishing and enhancing the operational capacity of our regional counterpart FIUs. The strength and effectiveness of these counterpart anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regimes is important in ensuring regional hostility to money laundering and terrorism financing.
AUSTRAC provides this crucial support by working towards:
- the development of a sound regulatory and supervisory capacity of regional FIUs, which includes increasing their ability to promote and manage reporting entity compliance
- the development of the intelligence capacity of regional FIUs through increasing their ability to analyse and disseminate financial transaction reports
- regional network building and promoting communication and information sharing with other FIUs, thus contributing to a higher quality of intelligence and security in the region.
AUSTRAC technical assistance and training programs
AUSTRAC's South East Asian Counter Terrorism(SEACT) program
Under this program AUSTRAC is working in partnership with counterpart organisations in 10 South-East Asian nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, to enhance regional capacity in detecting and dealing with terrorism financing and money laundering. AUSTRAC assistance is being provided in the form of in-country mentoring and workshops on FIU operations, information technology (IT) advice and typologies development.
The program commenced in July 2004, with funding of $10 million over four years allocated by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The first phase of the SEACT program concluded in June 2008. The second phase, which is funded for $5 million over two years, commenced in July 2008 and will conclude in June 2010.
Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC)
AUSTRAC provides one officer to the regional training activities of the JCLEC initiative led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Indonesian National Police. Collaborating with the AFP, the officer provides training in financial analysis for law enforcement officials from a range of South-East Asian jurisdictions. AUSTRAC's work with JCLEC commenced in 2004 and will continue until the end of the 2012-13 financial year.
Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) Capacity Building program (Pakistan)
Under this program AUSTRAC is aiming to enhance the AML/CTF capabilities of AUSTRAC's FIU counterpart in Pakistan (FMU), by developing its intelligence capabilities and regulatory/supervisory responsibilities. The program will enhance regional communication and cooperation on CTF matters as well as provide a basis for the FMU to participate in more comprehensive training at a later date. The program commenced in November 2008 and will run for a twelve-month period.
Financial Intelligence Capacity Building in South Asia (FICSA) program
AUSTRAC received funding from AusAID for a one-year capacity building program with the FIUs of Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. The program which commenced in March 2009 is aiming to enhance the capacity of each of the targeted FIUs in detecting and deterring money laundering and terrorism financing by providing:
- an improved understanding of the legislative and policy basis for international AML/CTF developments and how this applies to them in the domestic context
- an increased understanding of the issues involved in strengthening their AML/CTF regime and implementing changes to operational practices and procedures.
Pacific region FIU capacity building project
AUSTRAC received funding from AusAID for a 12-month program, commencing in May 2009, to build the capacity of 14 Pacific FIUs in detecting and deterring money laundering and terrorist financing by:
- developing compliance and analysis capability through the provision of attachment programs
- providing in-country mentoring to assist in refining FIU operations and processes
- providing continued IT support to priority jurisdictions.
Africa program
In May 2009, the Minister for Home Affairs announced funding of $17.2 million over four years to the AFP, AUSTRAC and the Attorney-General's Department to help strengthen African law enforcement agencies and legal institutions, as part of a wider international program.
The aim of the program is to provide technical assistance and training to African countries to develop their forensic investigation capacities, support anti-money laundering initiatives as well as strengthening their legal frameworks and capacity. Funded under Official Development Assistance, AUSTRAC received $8.1 million to fund its component of the program.
AUSTRAC assistance is being provided in the form of in-country mentoring and workshops on FIU operations, IT advice and annual regional workshops to develop best practice in addressing key anti-money laundering typologies, recommendations and risks. AUSTRAC will provide this assistance to up to nine African FIUs.
PPATK/AUSTRAC Partnership Program (PAPP)
The PAPP commenced in June 2009 and is funded under AusAID's Government Partnerships Fund. The program will run for 13 months to deliver capacity building to Indonesia's FIU, Pusat Pelaporan Dan Analisis Transaksi Keuangan (PPATK).
PAPP comprises an in-country technical advisor and IT advisor attached to the FIU in Jakarta, providing:
- assistance on implementing a new AML/CTF regime
- assistance on developing skills and procedures to undertake the core FIU functions of intelligence, analysis and disseminations
- training on developing and implementing appropriate IT infrastructure to complement existing and new FIU functions.
