The Australian Border Force (ABF) has formally concluded Operation Overarch - an ABF-led multiagency operation established on 22 March 2020. The operation's goal was to enforce the international border closure and prevent COVID-19 from entering the Torres Strait community via Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The ABF has long had - and will continue to have - a significant presence in the Torres Strait region, working closely with many other agencies including the Australian Defence Force (ADF), Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Queensland Police Service.
However, following the closure of international borders in response to COVID-19, there was a recognised need for an additional bolstering of surveillance and patrols to keep the region safe. Part of this increased effort included managing the suspension of traditional travel between Australian and PNG under the Torres Strait Treaty.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Kylie Rendina said Operation Overarch had been a resounding success.
"Working closely with our partners, we were able to ensure that COVID-19 never entered the region from PNG; indeed its eventual spread in the Torres Strait occurred in December 2021, via the Australian mainland, not PNG," Acting DC Rendina said.
"I would like to praise the incredible work of our existing Border Monitoring Officers in the region and our staff in the Thursday Island office, as well as ABF officers who surged to the region over the past two and a half years. I would also like to note the amazing contributions of critical stakeholders including law enforcement, Defence, Torres Strait Regional Council and Torres Shire Council.
"Further thanks goes to our counterparts in PNG including the PNG Customs Service, Royal PNG Police Constabulary and PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority. Importantly, we couldn't have achieved mission success without the full support of the Torres Strait community and its leaders."
As a snapshot measure of the operation's effectiveness, there were more than 15,000 arrivals from PNG in 2019 and just 253 arrivals in 2021.
Australia lifted its COVID-19 border restrictions on 6 July 2022 and PNG removed restrictions to its international border on 6 October 2022. As a result, and following meetings with relevant stakeholders, traditional travel under the Torres Strait Treaty resumed on 19 October 2022.
"While Operation Overarch has now ceased, the ABF will continue to have a strong presence in the region, conducting regular aerial surveillance and maritime patrols," Acting DC Rendina said.
"Further, we have invested in the ABF Border Monitoring Officer network with additional staff and training. This network of locally recruited staff will monitor and record movements conducted under treaty travel, and report any illegal or suspicion activity."
Operation Overarch formally concluded with a drawdown ceremony at HMAS Cairns, which served as the main staging base for maritime patrols.
