The Australian Border Force (ABF) commitment to protecting our regional borders in Western Australia was reinforced today with the opening of a new district office in Bunbury.
Officially opened by ABF Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Vanessa Holben, the new fit-for-purpose office will assist officers with overseeing the expanding Bunbury Port, and a patrol area from Windy Harbour to Preston Beach, stretching as far inland as Collie and Northcliffe.
Deputy Commissioner Vanessa Holben said that as an island nation, the ABF had a unique and complex operating environment.
"Australia's border includes around 37,000km of coastline and more than 60 international seaports, many of which are in regional areas including Bunbury, Albany and Esperance in WA," Deputy Commissioner Holben said.
"The Port of Bunbury is the busiest in the south west and we have a strong presence here, working closely with our law enforcement partners and Southern Ports to ensure the maritime border is protected.
"This presence helps to detect and disrupt criminality as our ports and vast coastline is regularly targeted by serious organised crime groups, seeking to import illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
Deputy Commissioner Holben said ABF officers regularly conduct land and marine patrols along the Bunbury coast, including boarding vessels at sea and within the Bunbury port, both for passenger border clearance and search purposes.
They also help to welcome and process international cruise ships and their passengers as they arrive in Bunbury and Busselton.
"The public also have an important role to play in protecting our border in regional areas, as they know better than anyone what looks out of place, and one small observation can lead to a stopping a much larger border crime."
The public can report any suspicious activity to Border Watch by calling 1800 06 1800 or online at www.abf.gov.au/borderwatch
Footage of a vessel boarding in Bunbury available here: Bunbury Vessel Search VNR - Blur (vbrickrev.com)
