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Customs and border operations to be merged into Australian Border Force Customs and border operations to be merged into Australian Border Force
(about 5 hours later)
Customs and immigration border operations are to be merged into new agency called the Australian Border Force. Customs and immigration border operations are to be merged into a new agency called the Australian Border Force, the immigration minister has confirmed.
Scott Morrison will announce the plan in a speech at the Lowy Institute on Friday. Scott Morrison detailed the plan in a speech at the Lowy Institute on Friday, saying immigration staff across a range of areas – including immigration compliance, detention services and customs strategy – would be taken into the new agency.
The immigration minister said a commissioner appointed to lead the agency would report directly to him. The border force would “pick up where Operation Sovereign Borders leaves off”. The minister said a commissioner appointed to lead the agency would report directly to him, and it would still be part of the immigration department. The border force would “pick up where Operation Sovereign Borders leaves off”.
“The Australian Border Force will encompass not only those who staff the air and sea borders at airports and ports but also those involved in investigations, compliance and enforcement in relation to illicit goods and illegal visitors,” Morrison wrote in the Australian on Friday. “The creation of the Australian Border Force is about strengthening our borders. It is a reform measure, not simply a savings measure,” Morrison said.
“This includes management of detention facilities and removal activities.” “The hundreds of millions in savings that will be achieved in the creation of the agency will all be reinvested back into the agency. This will be supplemented by further investment from the fiscal dividend of our stronger border protection policies that are stopping the boats and saving the budget.”
Morrison described immigration and customs as a “national security portfolio” and said his vision for border protection included the acquisition of six patrol craft, improved intelligence systems and the use of “big data” analytics to target organised crime.
“Departmental staff working in immigration compliance, enforcement, detention services and other operational functions, not including visa services, will make their way into the ABF. Policy, strategy, planning, trade facilitation and customs services officers from the ACBPS will come into the department,” Morrison said.
A series of reforms will be implemented before the new agency starts operating in July 2015. A college will be created to train officers.A series of reforms will be implemented before the new agency starts operating in July 2015. A college will be created to train officers.
“The reforms are focused on employing an intelligence-led, mobile, technology-enabled force, operating under a Strategic Border Command, ensuring our assets and resources are deployed to greatest effect,” he wrote. “The reforms are focused on employing an intelligence-led, mobile, technology-enabled force, operating under a Strategic Border Command, ensuring our assets and resources are deployed to greatest effect,” Morrison said.
The announcement is in accordance with one of the recommendations of the Commission of Audit, which said the border control functions of both agencies should be merged to remove duplication of services.The announcement is in accordance with one of the recommendations of the Commission of Audit, which said the border control functions of both agencies should be merged to remove duplication of services.
On Friday morning Morrison gave an update on ABC radio about the status of the investigations into the death of Reza Barati on Manus Island. A review by the former public servant Robert Cornall was scheduled to be completed in April but the minister said it was ongoing. On Friday morning Morrison gave an update on ABC radio about the status of the investigations into the death of Reza Barati on Manus Island. A review by the former public servant Robert Cornall was scheduled to be completed in April but the minister said it was not yet finished.
“The police investigation is also progressing well,” he said. We have handed over all of the material that our independent review has been able to collect and that is all now with the Papua New Guinea police.” “The police investigation is also progressing well,” he said. “We have handed over all of the material that our independent review has been able to collect and that is all now with the Papua New Guinea police.”