The safety and security of the community remains the absolute priority for the Australian Border Force (ABF) and Department of Home Affairs.
Each and every day, the ABF focus is – and will continue to be – the prosperity, safety and protection of our community.
Whether it’s interdicting people or goods that seek to do harm in our community, maintaining the sovereignty of our maritime borders or facilitating the movement of goods of Australian business connected to global supply chains, we have the Australian interest at heart.
In this vein, our committed and highly skilled workforce rapidly and diligently responded to the High Court judgement in November 2023, which required the release of a number of people from immigration detention. With agility and professionalism, we implemented a multifaceted strategy to manage affected individuals in the community, continuing our proud tradition of protecting the community.
Equipped with the skills and capability of our officers and from our partners, coupled with the Government’s $255 million funding package to secure dedicated resources for the ABF, Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to the operation and its prosecutions, we deployed various strategies to ensure community safety.
Operation AEGIS was stood up shortly after the judgement was handed down to operationalise the legislative amendments.
Led by the ABF – with the assistance of the AFP, state and territory police, and the Department of Home Affairs – Operation AEGIS enables a range of enforcement activities, including compliance, investigations, removal, and surveillance functions.
Within days of the judgement, the ABF negotiated and delivered an electronic monitoring device capability, ensuring electronic monitoring devices were fitted on every individual who was subject to the relevant visa condition.
This included establishing a 24/7 real-time tactical capability within the Australian Border Operations Centre (ABOC). This also ensures swift response to suspected visa breaches or other offences, including referrals to law enforcement of the relevant jurisdiction.
The ABF also established the NZYQ Law Enforcement Coordination Group, which involves representatives from across the Commonwealth, and states and territories, to assist with the whole of government coordination of the outcome of the High Court decision.
This group continues to meet regularly, and is a valuable forum ensuring close collaboration continues across the jurisdictions.
Importantly, the ABF also established the Community Protection Board in early December 2023 to provide informed, impartial and evidence-based recommendations about the most effective management strategies for individuals required to be released from detention.
The Board is chaired by the ABF and is comprised of eminent Australians from the fields of law enforcement, corrections, academia, mental health, clinical psychology and the community and multicultural sector – as well as senior representatives of the ABF and Department of Home Affairs.
Recommendations from the Board assist the Minister or delegate to decide whether it is reasonably necessary to impose each or any of the discretionary visa conditions for the protection of any part of the Australian community.
To inform their recommendations, the Board considers information including but not limited to criminal offending, the circumstances of each offence, the comments of judges, behaviour in prison, behaviour in detention, immigration history, medical history, including mental health, and security information.
The Board will meet for the eighth time today (Friday, 15 March 2024), and has considered the circumstances of all individuals who were granted a Removal Pending Bridging Visa (known as a BVR) immediately following the decision of the High Court.
The Board will continue to review this cohort, and any new individuals who become holders of a BVR, to ensure the safety and security of the Australian community.
As this is a complex and ever-evolving situation, the ABF stands ready to adapt our tactics and approach to deliver the best outcomes for the community.
We acknowledge the ongoing assistance of all relevant state and territory and Commonwealth agencies and, together, will continue to prioritise community safety.
