Thank you Chair and Senators for the opportunity to make a brief opening statement. I wanted to give you a sense of the trends of what is happening on our border.
Around the world, we have seen an upward trend in consumption of illegal drugs.
Between July 2025 and March this year we have detected 14 tonnes of major illicit drugs - notably we are seeing an increase in two particular drugs, cocaine and ketamine.
Cocaine seized at the border has increased by 23% compared to the same time last year.
This is in addition to 20 tonnes of cocaine detected offshore while being trafficked via the Pacific maritime highway, likely destined for Australia and New Zealand.
Ketamine, a fast-acting dissociative anaesthetic used legally in human and veterinary medicine, is rapidly emerging as a serious drug of concern.
1,907 kgs of ketamine has been detected at the border compared to 537kgs in the same period in 2025; this is an increase of 255%.
Our people have worked tirelessly to keep these drugs off the street, resulting in $33 billion worth of estimated drug harm reduction to the community.
We have seen an alarming increase in the number of individuals attempting to bring child abuse material into the country.
This reporting period alone we have detected 122 individuals with child abuse material across 226 devices - this is an increase from the 102 we found for the last financial year. The detections from this reporting period have resulted in 54 arrests and 30 instances where a child at risk in Australia has been identified or removed from further harm because of information located on devices examined at the border.
Our efforts to dismantle the illicit tobacco business model have continued - between December 2025 to March 2026, the Australian Border Force stood up Campaign PRINTWALL to target illicit tobacco pre the border, at the border, and post the border.
Over the duration of the Campaign, 998.5 tonnes of illicit tobacco were detected and over 4 million vapes.
Border Force Officers have detected over $3.5 billion in evaded Tobacco Excise duty tax - at a time when projected revenue from tobacco excise is being diminished, we are working tirelessly to ensure those that are trying to circumvent this regulation will be stopped.
International Foreign Fishers are hearing the message: if you enter Australian waters to fish illegally, you will be detected and you will be intercepted, losing your equipment, your boat and your freedom.
The number of incursions into Australian waters this financial year to the end of March, has decreased by 35%. Our total interdictions for this reporting period sit at 100, with 45 vessel disposals and 160 individuals prosecuted.
Operation Broadstaff, which was stood up in February, has increased our detections in the Torres leading to the destruction of nine foreign fishing vessels. to the end of March.
Despite geopolitical conflict and the impact on travel cost, we are still welcoming a record high number of passenger arrivals.
Across the year to date, 18 million passengers arrived via sea and air travel, an increase of 1.2 million passengers from the previous financial year.
Now behind the figures I've mentioned this morning are real people, delivering outcomes everyday with dedication and professionalism.
These efforts are a credit to all who serve the ABF and protect our nation.
Thank you Chair.
