Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Back for his question in relation to what is obviously a very serious area. I can inform the Senate that the government is taking action to address the threats to our borders, not just through people smuggling, as senators would know through the success to date of Operation Sovereign Borders, but against terrorism and the threat that foreign fighters present to Australia. As part of the $630 million counter-terrorism package announced on 5 August by the Prime Minister, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service will receive $150 million for several measures, including establishing counter-terrorism units at Australia's major international airports and the rollout of biometric testing, which the former government talked about but never delivered. It will be delivered by this government and we have allocated the appropriate resources to ensure that this occurs.

Counter-terrorism units commenced operations at a number of airports in August 2014. Customs and Border Protection will shortly establish similar units at all international airports in Australia. These measures will add to the more than 1,300 officers already deployed to more than 40 airports across Australia. The most recent announcement will complement the creation of the Australian Border Force, which will be formed on 1 July 2015, with the consolidation of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service into the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. This will allow for the creation of the new, single, better resourced, frontline force responsible for investigations, compliance and detention.