The federal government is to create an Australian Border Force in 2015 to “protect the border and facilitate the lawful passage of people and goods”.

The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Scott Morrison, made the announcement today in a speech to the Lowy Institute for International Policy.

He said the Australian Border Force would be established as part of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. It will be led by a Commissioner with the same standing as the Commissioner of the Federal Police, the Chief of the Defence Force and the Director General of ASIO. The Commissioner will report directly to the Immigration Minister. [Read more…]