Recent, ongoing and inaccurate media reporting regarding the capabilities of the Australian Border Force (ABF) contains a number of factual errors that need to be corrected.
ABF vessels continue to actively patrol Australian waters as before.
As the public would expect, we are always assessing our operations to ensure we are operating within our budgets while ensuring we are responsive to the changing operational environment.
On Monday, I instructed that there would be no change in ABF maritime patrols. Cape Class Patrol Boats are operational and continue to conduct strategic patrols, provide tactical surveillance, and undertake enforcement activities to address maritime security threats.
Earlier this week it was reported that our Fast Response Boats in the Torres Strait had been pulled from service due to budget constraints - again this is not correct. These vessels are undergoing routine annual survey. Other capabilities have been deployed to ensure we maintain our strong presence in the Torres Strait.
It is important to note that in balancing risk, service levels and budgets, the ABF takes a multi-layered approach to border protection. We use a range of monitoring and response methods and vessels, information sharing and intelligence, the expertise of our highly trained officers, and aerial, maritime and land surveillance patrols.
As Australia's frontline border agency, I expect and welcome public scrutiny of the ABF and its leadership. However, inaccurate and misleading media reporting negatively affects my workforce who are already working incredibly hard to keep Australia safe. It also wrongly undermines public confidence in our capability and can be used by people smugglers to peddle their lies that Australia's borders have weakened.
Our maritime crew perform a demanding role in often difficult conditions - it is no surprise that people transition out of these roles after a period. We provide support services to ensure their wellbeing, but ultimately the work is arduous and is not for everyone. We are continually training new and existing officers to ensure we maintain this ongoing capability.
Claims of a toxic culture in the ABF are also not correct. Like many organisations we have gone looking for, and identified, some examples of bullying, harassment and harmful behaviours in our organisations. These issues are all too common in our society and within many organisations and we are not immune.
I have stated publicly that these behaviours will not be tolerated and I have publicly outlined the significant steps I, and my new renewed leadership team, have taken to address these issues over recent years.
My message is clear – the ABF maintains a strong, agile presence around Australia's coastline to respond to, detect and deter any civil maritime security threats in Australian waters.
