Senator the Hon. Robert Hill,
Minister for Defence
Leader of the Government in the Senate

BORDER PROTECTION FUNDING BOOSTED

The Howard Government’s commitment to secure Australia’s borders has delivered a 2002-03 Budget boost of $199.6 million over four years to ensure greater surveillance of our borders and an increased ability to control the illegal movement of people and goods.

The Budget includes:

• An extra $175.8 million over four years to Customs for more Coastwatch flights, communications, x-ray equipment; crews and evaluation of new technology options;

• An extra $22.3 million in 2002-03 for the Australian Defence Force to continue operations at our northern borders to deter unauthorised boat arrivals. This is in addition to $18.7 million that was provided in 2001-02 for this initiative; and

• $1.5 million to the Australian Federal Police for five boats for the Indonesian National Police to assist their efforts in preventing people smuggling.

Justice and Customs Minister Senator Chris Ellison said the comprehensive Budget measures would provide the men and women guarding our borders with state of the art equipment, training and more resources. Senator Ellison said the 2002-03 Budget had delivered on the Howard Government’s election commitments contained in its Protecting Our Borders policy.

"The measures will improve Australia’s capacity to detect prohibited goods, including illicit drugs, and will enhance our detection of unauthorised arrivals, drug smugglers, illegal fishing and a range of other border threats," Senator Ellison said.

"Customs will provide more civil maritime surveillance than ever before, with Coastwatch’s flying hours increased by 1600 per annum. This allows Coastwatch to maintain its intensive program in the north and north-west, while still effectively managing other areas of Australia’s coastline. More container and pallet x-ray equipment will allow better detection of prohibited goods that could be illegally transported by shipping consignments."

Defence Minister Senator Hill said the protection of Australia’s borders was one of the Australian Defence Force’s most significant responsibilities.

"Defence patrol boats, maritime surveillance aircraft and intelligence capabilities are fully engaged in the day to day monitoring and patrolling our maritime approaches against encroachment from external threats," Senator Hill said.

"These are tasks that our servicemen and women are trained, well-equipped and committed to do. Our current border protection operations have been successful in deterring unauthorised boat arrivals since September 2001, intercepting more than 12 vessels in the first four months. The extra money in the Budget will be used to continue high levels of coastal surveillance of Australia’s northern approaches."

The 2002-03 Budget also includes funding to allow Defence and Customs to trial the high frequency surface wave radar that provides over-the-horizon border surveillance. The radar can detect surface vessels and low-flying aircraft beyond the visible horizon, unlike conventional radars, which are limited in operation to line-of-sight. The technology will allow 24-hour wide area coastal surveillance, protection of fisheries resources, protection of offshore oil and gas assets, smuggling deterrence, illegal entry deterrence and it will facilitate search and rescue and early storm warning.

For a full list of measures in relation to both protecting Australia’s borders and upgrading domestic security, please refer to Budget Paper Number 2, 2002-03.

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