New armoured rescue vehicle strengthens Victoria’s counter-terrorism capability

11 April 2013

Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management Mark Dreyfus QC today handed over a high-tech ‘BearCat’ Armoured Rescue Vehicle to Victoria Police.

The Australian Government has purchased eight ‘BearCats’ at a cost of approximately $400,000 each – one for every State and Territory police force in the country.

“The ‘BearCat’ will be used for high risk policing to protect officers and other emergency responders in situations such as sieges or terrorist attacks,” said Mr Dreyfus.

“National security is a priority of the Australian Government. The ‘BearCat’ will provide additional counter-terrorism capability in the unlikely occurrence of a terrorist incident and increase the protection of our police officers in very dangerous situations.”

The purchase of the Armoured Rescue Vehicles was agreed to by members of the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee, which includes representatives of each Australian state and territory, the Commonwealth.

“This ‘BearCat’ is among the best of its type in the world and is used in a number of countries as part of high risk policing activities,” Mr Dreyfus said.

“It builds on the substantial capability already present in our security and law enforcement agencies across Victoria and Australia.”

The provision of this vehicle does not reflect any change to the National Terrorism Public Alert Level, which remains at Medium.