Maybe David Hicks and Corby will get around the 'proceeds of crime' rule because their crimes weren't committed in Australia?
Although, obviously the AFP don't agree!

"The Australian Federal Police were set up by Prime Minister, William Morris Hughes in 1917, to protect him from egg throwing Queenslander's. Since Billy died in 1952 the Fed's haven't had much to do."
says Paul1405.
Don't take any notice of what he says he just hates police, after all he has had a couple of 'bad' experiences with them in the past so that is understandable, in fact I think they are still watching him. Perhaps Graham would know about that since he is in touch with them a lot about posters here.
Don't confuse the AFP with the Canberra police.The locals are a bunch of dolts where you gravitate to if you can't get a job in the states police services.
And yes they are very well trained for the task they do

They do wear uniforms but not all the time; I've got a nice photo of my daughter in hers.

o sung wu,
I think, not sure, the AFP are under the Attorney General.

Maybe a simple google search will gain more info about their role and responsibilities. Obviously it is to do with federal laws.

Under the present federal government there appears to be more cooperation among the various jurisdictions, which is resulting in the apprehension of big drug traffickers, which is good.

I would like there to be more action taken against the Australian end of the people trafficking. There is the long game of monitoring terrorist cells, sleepers, urgers and their misled associates.

So in answer to the OP, the AFP are like all police forces. They are like ducks in a lake, look calm so as not to frighten the flock, while paddling furiously below the surface.

It is a pity they have to waste resources on aboriginal tent protestors and the like. Especially where they are required to rescue a big-assed PM whose own political affiliates were involved in fomenting the violent protest at a restaurant to score political points, but backfiring badly in the process.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-26/riot-police-escort-gillard-abbott-from-protest/3795036

There is one more factor to be addressed the majority of the blame is with the AFP but they were "executing a search warrant", there is the other factor Judges are too hasty in giving in to police with search warrants.

Judges need to also be held accountable when dodgy warrants are issued.