Australia's spy agencies received a multimillion dollar boost on Wednesday with Prime Minister John Howard saying intelligence gathering is the most effective weapon in "the fight of our lives" against terror.
Howard, a firm US ally, unveiled an extra A$232 million ($167 million) for intelligence, which will almost double the funds for its main agency, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), since the September 11, 2001, US attacks.
Howard, who is expected to call an election around October, promised further funding in his conservative government's budget next Tuesday, that is expected to deliver a hefty surplus.
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