Strategic investment in border security

Investing in key capabilities

The Government is investing in strategic border security and border control capabilities:

• a new forensic facility for the Australian Federal Police to help in investigations of terrorism, transnational crime, and disaster victim identification;
• a new vessel to guard against people smuggling, environmental degradation and illegal fishing at Ashmore Reef; and
• expanding the SmartGate system at international airports to allow more Australians returning from overseas to use ePassports to clear Customs instead of waiting in a queue.

Investing in biosecurity

The Government is investing strongly in Australia's biosecurity system, including:

• $380 million over seven years to construct a new Commonwealth operated post-entry quarantine station, allowing industry to continue to safely import animals and plants into Australia while protecting our agricultural industries and the environment;
• $144 million over four years to continue to manage risks to the environment and agriculture; and
• $96 million over seven years to support eradication programs for nationally significant agricultural and environmental pests and diseases.

Improving immigration processes

This Budget provides $21 million to improve immigration processes by:

• streamlining protection visa assessment processes by transferring assessment duties to the Refugee Review Tribunal;
• helping asylum seekers who wish to return to their country of origin to do so; and
• reforming migration health requirements for both humanitarian and other visa applicants.