The funding will be used to assist countries develop laws to implement United Nations Conventions on terrorism, A-G Philip Ruddock said in a statement. It is expected to provide for them effective offences, investigative tools and extradition and mutual assistance regimes.

“It is essential regional counties have effective legislation to protect citizens and to create an environment hostile to terrorist activities,” Ruddock said.

The A-G argued that effective laws are essential to bringing the perpetrators of terrorism to justice and thereby protect the region.

The funding will be used to develop cooperative arrangements with countries in the region in response to a terrorist incident through legal counter-terrorism activities and policy, legislative drafting and training assistance, said Ruddock.