A Pakistani student has had his visa cancelled and has been removed from Australia after child exploitation material was found on his mobile phone at Melbourne Airport on Christmas Eve.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers selected the man for a baggage examination after he arrived on a flight from the United Arab Emirates.
During the examination, officers found images of child exploitation on his mobile phone. His visa was cancelled under the Migration Act 1958 and he was taken into detention before being removed from Australia on Christmas Day.
ABF Regional Commander Victoria, Craig Palmer, said the case highlighted the dedication of ABF officers to detecting this abhorrent material and preventing it entering the country.
“Child exploitation material has no place in Australia, and travellers who view, carry or distribute it should expect to forfeit their right to be in Australia.”
“Our highly trained airport officers process millions of incoming and outgoing passengers over the holiday period and are always on the lookout for goods of concern and individuals who pose a threat to the community,” Commander Palmer said.
“Whether it be child exploitation material, weapons, illicit drugs or travellers of concern, the public should be assured that ABF officers are working tirelessly at Australia’s airports to keep them safe this holiday period.”
People with information about the illicit importation and export of child exploitation material should contact Border Watch at australia.gov.au/borderwatch.
