Budget Priorities Protecting Australia's Borders Border protection is a key priority in this Budget. The Government is providing additional funding to reduce unauthorised boat arrivals in Australia.
strong border protection		The Government is committed to stronger border protection and will implement measures including enhanced Defence and Coastwatch activities and offshore processing to deter unauthorised boat arrivals. It also will provide incentives for the voluntary return of some people.
offshore processing and new facilities on Christmas Island		Net additional funding of $536 million over four years will be provided to meet the costs of offshore processing in other countries and Australian external territories. This includes $350 million in savings from reduced onshore processing. An extra $219 million over five years will allow the construction and maintenance of a new purpose-designed immigration, reception and processing centre on Christmas Island.
international solutions		The Government also is providing $6 million over four years to encourage the voluntary return and resettlement of asylum seekers who apply unsuccessfully for refugee status. The Government has established an Ambassador for People Smuggling Issues, and provided funding of $75 million over four years for a Regional Cooperation Agreement to develop regional strategies to address this global problem.
Unauthorised Boat Arrivals (a) There have been no unauthorised boat arrivals from 1 January 2002 to 30 April 2002.