As part of our plan for a stronger future, the Morrison Government has today released Australia’s Civil Maritime Security Strategy – strengthening our maritime borders against a full range of threats, such as people smuggling, drug importation and firearms trafficking.
Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said Australia had the strongest border protection arrangements in the world, but that with new and emerging challenges – and the ongoing threat of maritime people smuggling – the time was right to ensure our civil maritime responses were aligned, cost-effective and sustainable.
“As an island nation, our security and prosperity is dependent on the sea. Australia’s maritime domain is so vast that it covers more than 10 per cent of the earth’s surface,”
Minister Andrews said.
“Tragically, all Australians know what happens when a Government loses control of our maritime borders; when Labor was last in Government, we saw more than 50,000 illegal arrivals on more than 820 boats, with at least 1,200 people drowning at sea.
“Under the Morrison Government, this will never happen again. We understand that civil maritime security is a key pillar of Australia’s national security and that it protects our sovereignty, assets, infrastructure, resources and people.
“Strong borders provide a strong foundation to support investment in Australian maritime industries, tourism and trade – ensuring jobs and prosperity for all Australians.”
For the first time, the Strategy brings together more than 20 Federal Government agencies under a single Governance structure, better aligning the operational responsibilities that impact Australia’s civil maritime security.
“The Strategy will ensure a better coordinated, more cost-effective and sustainable approach to civil maritime security,” Minister Andrews said.
“It will build on our strong record of border protection, secure our maritime future, and provide a template for cooperation on maritime enforcement activity across our region.”
The Morrison Government’s Civil Maritime Security Strategy is available here.
