Aussie cash link to Bali bombings
By MARK DUNN
13nov02
MONEY sent from Australia might have been used directly in the Bali bombings, according to federal investigators.
Australia's money-laundering watchdog, Austrac, has identified a number of transactions from Australia to Indonesian recipients who are suspected of having a direct link to the Kuta atrocities.
Justice Minister Chris Ellison yesterday revealed evidence Australian money might have been used by those who carried out the terrorist attack that claimed up to 86 Australian lives.
"Austrac has been working with the Australian Federal Police to identify transactions that may relate to the Bali attack and identify connections between organisations and individuals possibly involved," Senator Ellison told the Herald Sun.
"I understand that Austrac has identified a number of transactions of interest."
While declining to give an indication of how much money was involved or whether it included any charity-based organisations, Senator Ellison said Austrac routinely tracked suspicious amounts of more than $10,000.
It also initiated investigations into smaller amounts, he said.
It is the first time a direct link between Australian money and the October 12 blasts, rather than terrorism generally, has been spoken about. But Senator Ellison said secrecy requirements prohibited him from commenting further.
"Financing is the life blood of terrorism and it is essential that we follow any money trail," he said. "Austrac's ability to track funds, big or small, is a critical tool in identifying and locating terrorists and those who fund them.
"This is demonstrated by the work of US authorities in the wake of September 11."
Senator Ellison said Australia and Indonesia would look at ways to clamp down on the flow of terror funds at an international conference in Jakarta on December 18.
He said Austrac and the Attorney-General's Department were also working on ways to assist the Indonesian Government to set up a system similar to Austrac, seen as a world leader in its ability to track suspect transactions and identify money laundering.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,5476568^662,00.html
