Private security and the Australian Government workshop
As part of the International Security Program's "Privateers in Australia's Conflict and Disaster Zones" research project, Military Fellow James Brown convened a workshop in Canberra to discuss engagement between the private security industry and the Australian Government.
The private security industry has become an established component in the conflict and disaster zones where the Australian Government operates, and looks set to be an enduring feature of the security landscape. International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf and Melanesia Program Director Jenny Hayward-Jones chaired sessions which examined the use of private security in Australia's neighbourhood and Australia's burgeoning private security industry. Although behind the United States, the United Kingdom and South Africa, Australia is now a serious contributor to the global private security industry. Australian companies provide security services across the globe, from Asia to Africa, to governments and private clients alike. Many Australians, mostly former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, work as contractors for private security companies - leveraging their military skills to protect infrastructure and individuals. Australians are key players in the private security industry, relied upon for their expertise, combat experience, and interoperability with both the US and UK militaries and private security operators.
The Australian Government too has been forging a leadership role in the private security arena. Australia has been amongst the most forthright supporters of nascent initiatives designed to regulate the established private security industry. Australian diplomats, academic specialists, and international legal experts have actively driven initiatives like the Montreux document, the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers, and the development of international standards for the private security industry. In August this year Australia became a foundation member and key governmental supporter of the Association of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers, contributing seed funding to this non-governmental organisation (NGO) which aims to provide a forum for effective oversight of private security company operations. The Australian Government is also a major employer of private security companies, contracting for a broad range of security, assessment, and training services. Private security companies train Australian Government staff and officials in survival and security procedures and prepare them for service in high threat areas. Over 200 private security contractors, the majority of whom are armed, provide security for Australia’s diplomats and embassies in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The workshop convened a range of civil-military stakeholders to discuss past engagement between the Australian Government and the private security industry and look to lessons learnt from the development of the industry during the past decade. The aim of the workshop was to gain a detailed understanding of perspectives on how the private security industry has evolved and what challenges might be ahead. A keynote speech was delivered by the Pentagon’s Director of Armed Contingency Contractor Policy and Programs, Mr Christopher Mayer and the workshop was opened by Dr Alan Ryan, Executive Director of the Australian Civil-Military Centre. The ACMC have been facilitating and funding this Lowy Institute research project since 2011.
Conclusions from the workshop will be incorporated into a future research paper to be published by the Australian Civil-Military Centre.
