Media Statement - 28th January 2010
Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor said today that Australia's border management community had proven itself to be more integrated and better coordinated since the presentation of the National Security Statement in 2008.
"The integration of agencies across government into one border protect community, as envisioned in the National Security Statement, is key to continued improvements in border security," he said.
Mr O'Connor was speaking at the Pacific 2010 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney.
"The Government has always made it clear that its first priority is the nation's security and the National Security Statement outlined the security challenges facing Australia," Mr O'Connor said.
"Since the Prime Minister presented the first National Security Statement in December 2008 border protection agencies have become central to Australia's national security sphere.
"The border environment is complex and many government agencies work together to protect the interests of the community.
"That environment is only becoming more challenging, with an increase in the people and goods crossing the border, the continuing threats of terrorism, people smuggling and trafficking, the evolving nature of organised crime, and cyber attacks on information and communication systems.
"So, the integration of agencies involved is critical to managing those threats and we have already seen greater integration and collaboration among those agencies."
"Ultimately, the objective of border management is to protect the interests of the community.
"We recognise that the majority of goods and people crossing the border are legitimate so it is important to balance security measures with supporting and enabling legitimate trade and travel."