$147.3 Million Budget Boost to Strengthen Customs Border Protection Capabilities
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Media Release
8 May 2007
Customs will receive an additional $147.3 million, over the next four years to ensure it has the necessary resources to protect Australia’s borders, the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator David Johnston said today.
“The funding will boost Customs capabilities in the areas of maritime security, international airline passenger processing and the detection of illicit drugs,” said Senator Johnston.
The Budget also contains measures to enhance Australia’s cooperation with our nearest neighbour, Papua New Guinea, to improve that country’s border protection arrangements.
“These initiatives directly support the Government’s collective efforts to detect and defeat unlawful acts against Australia’s borders and maritime area,” Senator Johnston said.
“The Budget measures will provide Customs with additional personnel, technology and skills to protect Australia’s borders in a constantly changing security and regulatory environment.”
Senator Johnston said key Customs Budget initiatives included:
- $79.5 million over four years to develop, implement and operate the new Australian Maritime Identification System (AMIS). The system will deliver a whole-of-government approach to monitoring Australia’s maritime domain. It will allow the Border Protection Command, a joint Customs and Defence organisation, to detect, identify and respond appropriately to all vessels entering or operating in Australia’s offshore maritime areas.
- $31.7 million over four years for the charter of a vessel dedicated to the protection of the environmentally sensitive Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island Marine reserves. The vessel will strengthen Customs surveillance and enforcement activities in the area, particularly in relation to illegal foreign fishing off the north-west coast of Australia. The vessel will be equipped with two high-speed tenders for patrols of the marine reserves.
- $23.1 million over two years to enhance Customs ability to identify international travellers who may be of interest to a range of government agencies. The current Passenger Analysis Clearance Evaluation (PACE) system will be replaced by a new system to improve data sharing between agencies.
- $7.8 million over four years for Customs to focus on border security matters with Papua New Guinea Customs in conjunction with the Enhanced Cooperation Program (ECP). Australian Customs will work in partnership with PNG to improve revenue collection and better protect its borders. Australian Customs will provide support for improving the effectiveness of the PNG border; work with PNG Customs to establish a new border patrol capability; introduce additional x-ray equipment at PNG seaports and airports, as well as assisting with increased harbour and coastal surveillance.
- $4 million over four years for additional airport officers and support staff to implement requirements for reporting cross-border movements of cheques, money orders and other bearer negotiable instruments. This activity is a key component of the Government's fight against the financing of terrorist activities.
- $1.2 million over four years to boost Customs capability to investigate imported precursor chemicals as part of the Combating Illicit Drugs Strategy. Customs will purchase and install additional reference spectral data in the Customs drug detection and identification equipment to expand its capability, six additional infrared spectroscopes used to identify suspect chemicals and 20 portable fume extractors for officer safety and increasing capability to sample chemicals from suspect cargo at Customs Container Examination Facilities (CEFs).
Funding to Customs has been increased by $641.2 million or approximately 180 per cent since the Howard Government was elected in 1996.
“This is a reflection of the Government’s ongoing commitment to more robust border protection and safeguarding Australia,” Senator Johnston said.
Media Contact: Robert Broadfield Minister’s Office (02) 6277 7260