(Transcript from World News Radio)
The federal government has announced the establishment of a new border protection agency.
From July next year, the Australian Border Force will incorporate the roles of Customs and Border Protection and the Immigration Department.
As Santilla Chingaipe reports, the merger is one of a series of cost saving measures to be unveiled in next Tuesday's budget.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement during an address to the Lowy Institute in Sydney.
"That is why I'm pleased to announce today that on July 1, 2015, we will establish the Australian Border Force. A single front-line operational Border Agency to enforce our customs and immigration laws and to protect our border as was also confirmed and supported by the recent Commission of Audit recommendation."
Mr Morrison says the agency will remove duplication and result in huge savings.
"The creation of the Australian Border Force is about strengthening our borders. It is a reform measure not simply a savings measure. The hundreds of millions in savings that will be achieved in the creation of the agency will be reinvested back into that 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."
Mr Morrison says it will comprise airport and maritime officers, investigators as well as those responsible for tracking down illegal goods.
It will also manage immigration detention and removals.
"The ABF will encompass not only those people 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. This includes management of detention facilities and removal facilities. It includes those who serve also beyond our borders, working in operational roles with our regional partners. Visa and trade service functions will be conducted within the department to ensure minimum disruption to these important activities, and to ensure they continue to receive a high priority from senior departmental management."
Mr Morrison says the Australian Border Force will be led by a commissioner who will report directly to him.
"They will be our most senior border law enforcement officer. Leading a professional team of highly trained and experienced officers tasked with using their powers under our customs and immigration laws to protect and manage our borders."
Scott Morrison says other countries already have a single border agency, and the Australian reforms will be similar to those already in place in Britain.
He says the new agency will boost Australia's enforcement capability.
"Funding the establishment of a strategic border command to monitor our border in a real-time environment. The strategic border command will support effective decision making, resource allocation and respond to border incidents as needed. Disciplined, uniform border officers, some armed, will carry out these tasks and will be support by mobile and other portable technology which will enhance their ability to clear cargo and passengers, remotely access data information and wirelessly report back to strategic border command."
Mr Morrison says the government will purchase six fast vessels to patrol coastal areas.
"Our vast coastline with its thousands of islands requires specialist patrolling capability, including shallow draft patrol vessels that can access bays an estuaries and rivers and the treacherous reefs of our borders. Three of these vessels will be deployed to the Torres Strait which I visited last week, a region of strategic significance for border control and to support local patrol activities and joint operations with our friends and partners in Papua New Guinea. Such patrols not only provide the necessary physical deterrent but are important enforcement and intelligence gathering operations."
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has been in existence, under various names, since the end the Second World War.
Scott Morrison says it has played and continues to play a key role in nation building and managing the country's migration program.
"Since 1945, we have opened our arms as a nation to more than 7 million migrants, of whom more than 800,000 are refugees. More than 4.5 million people have taken up the opportunity to become Australian citizens. Since the Nationality and Citizenship Act was passed in 1948. Our country and our nation and our communities are immeasurably richer because of their efforts in that department."
Mr Morrison says there's been a $2.5 billion budget saving as a result in the decline in asylum boat arrivals to Australia due to the Coalition's policies.
He says, in addition, a further six* onshore detention centres will be shut, saving a further $280 million.
