The Framework
In October 2008, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to the establishment of a Chemical Security Management Framework (the Framework). This Framework was agreed to in the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) titled An Agreement on Australia’s National Arrangements for the Management of Security Risks Associated with Chemicals.
Guiding Principles
The Framework is intended to reflect the needs and interests of the community, industry and government and provide an effective national system.
The aim is to provide a structured process that will continue to enhance the security of chemicals and is proportionate to the assessed risk.
The measures are intended to help security and law enforcement agencies prevent terrorist acts involving chemicals, while not affecting the ordinary use of these chemicals.
Risk Assessment
Once a chemical has been risk assessed, appropriate and proportionate control measures can be considered.
COAG has identified a number of chemicals being of potential security concern and each is subject to a risk assessment.
Australian governments together with industry have developed a risk assessment methodology. It assesses each stage of a supply chain, resulting in an overall security risk rating based on the consequence and likelihood of a chemical’s illegitimate use.
The Attorney-General’s Department relies on the support and input from both industry and government to ensure risk assessments provide the most complete picture of Australia’s current chemical environment.
Council of Australian Governments
In December 2002 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a national review of the regulation, reporting and security surrounding the storage, sale and handling of specific hazardous materials including chemicals of security concern.
The aim is to assist counter-terrorism efforts by limiting opportunities for the misuse of such materials and chemicals.
In October 2008, COAG agreed to the establishment of a Chemical Security Management Framework.
Intergovernmental Agreement
An Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) titled An Agreement on Australia’s National Arrangements for the Management of Security Risks Associated with Chemicals was signed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in October 2008.
The IGA defines the governance arrangements for coordinating and implementing the Chemical Security Management Framework.
The IGA outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Australian governments in developing and implementing appropriate and nationally consistent actions for chemical security.
