Protecting our borders
Customs and Border Protection plays an important role in protecting Australia's borders from the entry of illegal and harmful goods and unauthorised people. It must carry out this role while not impeding the legitimate movement of people and goods across the border.
Customs and Border Protection contributes to the whole-of-government approach to secure Australia from potential terrorist threats. Cargo intervention, passenger screening and first-port boarding rates are at an all-time high. International and inter-agency cooperation continue to play a vital role in protecting our borders.
Customs and Border Protection remains focused on intercepting illicit drugs and other items potentially harmful to the community.
Customs and Border Protection works closely with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to ensure that both agencies continue to look for opportunities to improve effectiveness and efficiency in managing common border protection and biosecurity functions. This strategic relationship is described in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two agencies. The MOU was signed at an official ceremony in Canberra on 21 July 2011 by Customs and Border Protection Chief Executive Officer, Mr Michael Carmody, and DAFF Secretary, Dr Conall O’Connell. Annexure to identify potential areas for further collaboration will be available over the coming months.
Related documents:
MOU - DAFF and Customs and Border Protection
Annex E1: Joint Communications
Annex D1: Shared Property Arrangements
Annex C3 - Information Sharing
Annex A3 - Air and Sea Cargo Operations
Annex C1 - Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
Annex - Administration of the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) ACT 1905
Annex - Cost recovery arrangements and revenue collection
Annex - Passenger and crew processing at international and minor airports
Annex - Signed Sea Traveller Processing at Cruise Passenger Terminals and Wharfside Annex