(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
A new national security agency combining Customs and Immigration is overseeing Australia's borders from today.
The federal government is hailing it as the face of the new era in how Australia's borders are managed.
The Australian Border Force will act as the nation's single frontline enforcement agency.
The powers given to the head of the new organisation will rival those of the heads of ASIO,the Federal Police, the Defence Force and the counter-terrorism task force.
Amanda Cavill reports.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
Former ACT chief police officer Roman Quaedvlieg will head up the new Australian Border Force.
It draws together the operational border, investigations, compliance, detention and enforcement functions of the Immigration and Customs agencies.
The border force will operate under the auspices of the Department of Immigration.
Its role is to take charge of protecting Australia's major airports, seaports, coastline and air and maritime domains.
Commissioner Quaedvlieg says the new force marks a quantum leap forward in national security.
He says, while Australia is one of the safest countries in the world with one of the most successful records in preventing crime and terrorism reaching its shores, it is always at risk.
"Our utopia, our country, is under constant threat. Our border, which we view as a strategic national asset that we need to maintain to preserve the good order of our community, is under constant challenge each and every day. There are those who would seek to exploit our prosperity and our wealth for criminal gain. There are those who would seek to attack our way of life."
Commissioner Quaedvleig becomes the nation's most senior border law enforcement officer.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says he has the same standing as other top security heads.
That includes the commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, the chief of the Defence Force and the director general of the spy agency ASIO.
Mr Dutton has told the new commissioner his role is a challenging one.
"It is quite literally building the new foundation for the future of border protection of this nation. It's important work, and, although Customs and Immigration may deal primarily with migrants, traders, visitors and Australians returning from overseas, your contribution to the preservation of the national fabric is significant. By monitoring and managing the flow of people and goods across our borders, you guard against undesirable elements entering our communities and acting in contravention of the values and laws we hold dear."
Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the establishment of the Australian Border Force ushers in a new era of disciplined service.
Mr Abbott says the force is the guardian of Australia's safety, security and prosperity.
"Behind our borders are the people the government is charged to protect. Behind our borders is the land it is our privilege to care for. Behind our border is the democracy and the freedom that Australians cherish. This is why our borders must be secure. Behind our borders is our sanctuary. And it must be our sanctuary if it is also to remain a beacon of hope and opportunity to the wider world."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says Labor supports the new force.
Mr Shorten says it is not always about the opposing sides in federal politics saying no to each other.
"In terms of the border force, we're committed to seeing that we have strong borders. Not every issue in Australian politics needs to be Labor on one side of the fence and Liberal on the other side of the fence. But, again, our policy is that we want to have strong borders. We also want to make sure that we are the compassionate nation that Australians expect us to be, in terms of genuine refugees overseas."
The federal government says six new patrol boats will patrol inaccessible territories, including rivers, estuaries and reefs.
Three of them will be deployed in the Torres Strait.
A new intelligence agency and training college will also come under the auspices of the Border Force.
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