DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS
Following yesterday's Federal Budget Summary prepared by Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA), Paul Zalai (Director FTA / Secretariat APSA) hosted a webinar with Michael Outram (Australian Border Force Commissioner) discussing resource implications, operational outcomes and future trade initiatives - recording available HERE
In a subsequent statement and in response specifically to the budget outcomes, the Commissioner highlighted that the Government's priorities have been reinforced on strong border security, tackling illicit goods, and having effective travel and trade settings with a number of new measures and funding for the Portfolio, especially the ABF.
The Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs provided a joint media statement announcing several of these measures as summarised below.
Border security and facilitation
- To protect Australia's border and better facilitate trade and trade, the Government has committed:
- to maintain the ABF's Airline Liaison Officer Program in the offshore network to deter and disrupt irregular travel,
- an initial investment of $17.9 million in 2023-24 to commence work to ensure Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport will be a safe and world leading airport, and
- funding of $8.0 million for 2023-24 to enable the ABF to continue core work on key whole-of-government and integrated regulatory, digital and data reforms under the Government's Simplified Trade System (STS) agenda (which is STS Implementation Taskforce-led).
Other measures
- The Government has also committed:
- funding of $10.1 million over four years from 2023-24 to support the growth and integrity of, the Australian Pacific Labour Mobility scheme (which is Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-led),
- funding of $15.5 million to implement increases to the Passenger Movement Charge (which is The Treasury-led), and
- funding of $50.0 million over four years from 2023-24 (and $15.3 million ongoing) for additional enforcement and compliance activities to maintain the integrity of the migration system.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY
A sustainable funding package for biosecurity was announced in the budget as outlined in a media release by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Extensive information about the biosecurity budget measures, including Budget Fact Sheets, is also available on the department's website.
It is significant to note reference to the Federal Government's intent to:
- explore options to introduce a broader biosecurity import levy that is consistent with international trade law obligations; and
- expand cost recovery to include the biosecurity clearance of parcels and non-letter mail (further FTA/APSA commentary to follow).
It is also understood that the department will host a Q&A webinar next week on biosecurity measures - FTA/APA will advise details as soon as they become available.
Sal Milici - Licensed Customs Broker
General Manager Trade Policy & Operations - FTA / APSA
Chair – Container Cleanliness Working Group | Global Shippers Forum (GSF)
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