Feature—Protecting Our Borders – A Whole-of-Government Approach
Troops boarding an unidentified foreign fishing vessel
People who breach our borders potentially threaten Australia's quarantine controls, community safety, offshore assets, economy and immigration system integrity, as well as the security and defence of our nation.
Border protection starts with maritime security, and Defence's contribution gives teeth to Australia's maritime security effort. In recent years, this contribution has increased substantially—a reflection of increased activity in our waters and the clear determination of the Government to defend our sovereignty.
During 2005–06, the ADF supported the Customs Coastwatch-coordinated Civil Maritime Surveillance Program in northern Australia as part of Operation Cranberry. The program focuses on the surveillance of Australia's maritime approaches (sea, air and coastal areas) with the aim of detecting and preventing illegal activities.
ADF force elements conduct surveillance patrols and respond to sightings of activities such as illegal fishing and unauthorised boat arrivals. Fremantle and Armidale-class patrol boats, P–3 Orion aircraft and the Army's Regional Force Surveillance Units provide the bulk of the ADF contribution, supported by other wide area surveillance assets and a range of intelligence organisations. During 2005–06, these force elements operated under a Joint Task Force commanded by Commander Northern Command.
While the Civil Maritime Surveillance Program is a whole-of-Government approach to maritime border security, efforts under Operation Cranberry have largely focused on detecting, deterring and responding to illegal fishing within Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone in conjunction with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Coastwatch. During 2005–06, the Navy conducted a total of 302 boardings of foreign fishing vessels, resulting in 160 apprehensions, 99 legislative forfeitures and 17 warnings.
Tying the vessels together for towing
In recognition of the importance of the ADF's support to combating illegal fishing, the Government has provided extra funding in the 2006–07 Budget. This comprehensive $388.9 million plan incorporates a wide range of initiatives to further enhance Australia's ability to detect, deter and respond to illegal fishing, including $95.6 million over four years to enable Defence to operate two Huon-class coastal mine hunters for additional maritime patrol and response. These additional resources will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of operations to apprehend, transport, process and accommodate the several thousand fishermen likely to be detained each year.
On 17 July 2006, the majority of ADF border security operations were consolidated into Operation Resolute, incorporating security patrols of Australia's oil and gas infrastructure with Operations Cranberry (illegal fishing and smuggling), Relex II (unauthorised arrivals), and Mistral (patrols in the Southern Ocean).
Units involved in Operation Resolute are assigned to Joint Task Force 639 and commanded by the Joint Offshore Protection Command, which has assumed overall responsibility for the coordination and control of both civil and military maritime enforcement activities within Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone.
HMAS Cessnock prepares to take a foreign fishing vessel in tow