Thank you Chair and thank you Senators for the opportunity to make a brief opening statement.
Australia's border environment is evolving rapidly as travel and trade grow; organised crime becomes more sophisticated and emerging threats require new approaches. The ABF is responding with modern capabilities, stronger partnerships and a more secure, efficient and connected border.
Last financial year, the ABF enabled the safe passage of 49 million passengers, a 5 per cent increase from the previous year.
Working with government and industry, we are delivering a more secure, streamlined and technology-enabled border. By the end of 2027, paper incoming passenger cards will become part of Australia's border history, replaced by a fully digital process.
Of the 4,805 detainees who entered the immigration detention network last financial year, 88.4 per cent had a criminal history demonstrating a larger and increasingly complex immigration detention cohort.
The ABF disrupted illicit tobacco and vape supply chains at unprecedented scale across the border continuum.
In addition to the 2.2 billion illicit cigarette sticks, 590 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco and 13 million vape devices, as highlighted by the Secretary this morning, we also seized 7.2 million nicotine pouches exposing the scale and determination of organised criminal syndicates seeking significant profits from Australia's tobacco market.
The illicit drug threat is also changing. ABF officers detected 7 tonnes of methamphetamine, almost 7 tonnes of cocaine, 380 kilograms of heroin and 2.5 tonnes of ketamine at the border.
Cocaine detections increased by 76 per cent and ketamine by 193 per cent compared with the previous financial year, demonstrating that organised crime groups are diversifying the drugs they seek to import.
In the maritime domain, sustained surveillance, enforcement and regional partnerships continue to protect Australia's borders. The ABF achieved 2,458 on-water days, and 15,476 aerial surveillance hours, the highest levels in five years.
These outcomes reflect the professionalism and dedication of our people, on the frontline and behind the scenes, who work every day to keep Australia safe, secure and prosperous.
Thank you Chair.
