minister for home affairs media release

Protecting our borders from corruption - 13 October 2010

Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor today tabled the Gillard Government’s response to a recommendation to expand the role of the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI).

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on ACLEI has recommended in its interim report that the authority’s jurisdiction is expanded to include Customs and Border Protection.

“The Gillard Government welcomes the Committee’s recommendation because we understand that Australia’s law enforcement agencies must operate free from corruption and with the highest integrity,” Mr O’Connor said.

“It is paramount that Customs and Border Protection officers are subject to the same level of accountability and scrutiny that other federal law enforcement agencies are held to.”

“Customs officers are on the frontline of our border protection and law enforcement and because of that they are vulnerable to efforts by criminals to exploit their knowledge and power.”

This change will be achieved through regulation and in the longer term through new legislation.

From January 2011, ACLEI will be able to investigate allegations of corruption relating to the law enforcement functions of Customs and Border Protection.

“I’d like to thank the Committee and its Chair Melissa Parke for their efforts to ensure that everything possible is done to ensure the fine reputation of our law enforcement agencies is maintained.”

“Melissa Parke has long been a champion of anti-corruption measures in Government and has strongly for advocated greater integrity and transparency measures,” Mr O’Connor said.

The Gillard Government will boost funding to ACLEI by $2.7 million over four years to strengthen integrity arrangements for Customs and Border Protection.

ACLEI already has oversight of the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Crime Commission and is responsible for preventing detecting and investigating serious and systemic corruption issues in these agencies.

The final report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on ACLEI is expected later this year.

Media Adviser: Jayne Stinson 0458 547 512 jayne.stinson@ag.gov.au