Australian Customs Service Annual Report 2000-01 >> Overview of Customs >> Key priorites >> Improved inter-agency cooperation

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Improved inter-agency cooperation

Cooperation with border agencies

Customs, AQIS and DIMA continued to improve cooperation in border-related activities such as the clearance of international cargo and passengers.

Initiatives implemented include sharing infrastructure such as shopfronts at international airports and for air cargo clearances, x-ray equipment, office accommodation and dog kennels, and cross training of officers. During 2000-01 Customs and AQIS completed an initiative to open combined shopfronts at all major international airport terminals. Combined shopfronts such as this allow clients to streamline clearance processes, allow staff to gain a greater appreciation of each other’s roles and encourage joint cargo examinations.

Arriving and departing international passengers present themselves to one official – a Customs officer – who carries out passenger clearance functions, including primary immigration processing. During 2000-01 work continued on integrating PACE, the primary Customs border computer system, with DIMA’s offshore movement alert IT system to further enhance facilitation of passengers through electronic processing.

A memorandum of understanding and associated guidelines were established to provide a framework for responses by Commonwealth agencies and police forces to illegal landings of suspect illegal entrant vessels on Australian territory. Signatories included Customs, AQIS and DIMA as well as other agencies such as the AFP, the Australian Defence Force, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and state and territory police forces.

With the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Britain in February 2001, Customs provided immediate support to AQIS to prevent the disease being introduced to Australia. A Customs-AQIS memorandum of understanding was agreed setting out the joint working arrangements between the agencies.

During 2000-01 Customs Coastwatch entered into a service level agreement with DIMA to cover extra services provided as a result of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Coastal Surveillance (see further information).

Further information on cooperation between Customs and permit-issuing agencies is available in Output 1.

Cooperation with law-enforcement agencies

As Customs, the AFP, the NCA and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) all form part of the Attorney-General’s portfolio, the agencies have sought opportunities for increased cooperation and resource sharing. Some of the initiatives implemented during 2000-01 include:

collocating Customs and the AFP in Launceston, Townsville and Coolangatta
moving towards secure inter-agency radio communications with the proposed upgrade of the Customs UHF radio network (further information)
undertaking a number of joint intelligence projects as a result of funding received through NIDS (further information).

The Joint Strategic Intelligence Group was established in 1999-2000 to provide strategic intelligence advice to Justice and Customs portfolio agencies on issues relating to drug trafficking and the criminal enterprises involved from a joint-agency perspective. During 2000-01 the group:

assessed the use of intelligence in intercepting illicit drugs at the border
compared Australian and US law-enforcement intelligence practices
commenced a series of assessments on the drug trafficking and associated financial activities of various criminal groups.

Further information on intelligence cooperation is available under risk identification.

An agreement was developed with the AFP where Customs provides it with information on all detections of apparent criminal offences relating to importations of goods specified in the criminal sanctions amendments to the Customs Act 1901.

Cooperation with the Australian Taxation Office – transfer of excise

The transfer of the excise function from Customs to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) progressed with the passage of amendments to the excise legislation. Customs continued to provide some transitional services to the ATO and to have a role in assuring compliance with aspects of excise legislation.

The ATO and Customs discussed excise matters, with agreement reached on implementing a joint compliance model. This model recognises that each agency can operate with autonomy in clearly distinguishable areas while in other areas a joint approach is essential. A memorandum of understanding covering this and other issues is planned.

Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games

As well as continued secondment and involvement in joint operational groups, further opportunities to enhance working relationships were generated by the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Further information.

International cooperation

Customs Asia Pacific Enforcement Reporting System (CAPERS)

CAPERS is an Internet-based secure communication platform capable of use by any Customs administration. It aims to encourage cooperation, communication and liaison between administrations by providing drug-concealment alerts, a library, training material and a forum where users can request and exchange information on topics of interest. A secure email system is now operational, with the capability for further expansion as necessary.

Australian, US and New Zealand Customs are overseeing a two-year pilot program from October 2000 to September 2002. During this period, each administration will mentor selected regional countries (14 in total). After the pilot, the system’s performance and future use will be evaluated. A decision to continue would see the inclusion of further Customs agencies and consideration of requests for access by other law-enforcement agencies.

Each participating country signed a common memorandum of understanding. When using CAPERS, Customs operates under the requirements of section 16 of the Customs Administration Act 1985 and the Privacy Act 1988.

Joint border patrols

As part of the National Illicit Drug Strategy, Customs participated in joint border patrols of coastal villages in the Western Province area of Papua New Guinea with the PNG Inland Revenue Commission.

During 2000-01 three patrols were undertaken. Australian Customs vessels were used for transport and accommodation by Customs, PNG and other Commonwealth and state officials. The patrols aimed to:

assist PNG to manage its law-enforcement activities
allow Australian Customs staff based in the Torres Strait to gather intelligence
allow officials from both countries to familiarise themselves with the villages, people and environment along the Western Province coast
show a united and visible presence by the two countries.

Cooperation - East Timor
Public Service Medal to Neil Sugget

Customs officer Neil Sugget was awarded the Public Service Medal in the 2001 Australia Day honours list, acknowledging the role of Customs in rebuilding East Timor’s border controls.

Neil received the award for outstanding leadership in setting up and leading the first Australian Customs contingent to assist the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) in the development of East Timor Border Services.

‘Neil displayed outstanding leadership, professionalism and initiative under difficult circumstances, managing the selection, preparation and training of a group of 20 volunteers,’ said the CEO of Customs, Mr Lionel Woodward.

Neil said he accepted the award on behalf of himself and the 13 other Customs staff involved in re-establishing a customs service in East Timor.

The contingent established a system to collect customs and excise duties. They also made a significant contribution to the training, development and conditions of service for East Timorese recruited to the Border Service, resulting in the first group of local staff employed by the East Timorese civil service.

Neil is the fourth Customs officer to receive the Public Service Medal. Previous recipients are:

Paul Murphy (1990) for significant contributions to the public service and Customs
John Vandeloo (1998) for initiating and implementing Australia’s breeding and rearing program for detector dogs
Jenny Peachey (2000) for outstanding performance in the research and delivery of the across-public service report Beyond Bean Counting.

In addition to Neil’s award, the Minister for Justice and Customs presented all members of the contingents in East Timor with the Customs East Timor 2000 medallion. Certificates of recognition were also presented at the Australian Volunteers in East Timor ceremonies held throughout Australia and hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.