Minister affirms ongoing ABF industry engagement and trade facilitation role

20 July 2017

The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (and future Minister for Home Affairs) along with the Acting Commissioner of the ABF used their opening addresses at the DIBP Industry Summit this morning (31 July 2017) to address the ongoing role of the DIBP and ABF in facilitating the legitimate trade in goods and movement of people.

At the time of announcement of the creation of the new Department of Home Affairs (DHA) there was a total focus on national and border security issues with no comment on the traditional ‘customs’ role of the ABF or its ongoing engagement with industry and the facilitation of international trade at the border. Naturally there were some concerns that the failure to address these important roles could mean that the importance of those roles was being downgraded and that momentum on various initiatives here and overseas could be lost with an increased focus on security and intervention in trade.

However, at this morning’s Industry Summit, both the Minister and the Acting Commissioner reiterated that the ABF would continue in its traditional ‘customs’ role and the ABF, as part of the DIBP would also continue its vital engagement with industry and development of trade facilitation measures to assist in the legitimate trade in goods and movement in people. Both speakers made the point that the involvement of the ABF with the DHA would allow the ABF to have access to additional information at an earlier stage than is presently the case, which would actually enhance the ability of the ABF to carry out its roles. These outcomes were all consistent with the theme of the Industry Summit being ‘Border Innovation: strengthening our nation’s economy, security and society’.

In terms of the work of the DIBP and the ABF in the engagement with industry in relation to the movement of goods, there was reference to recent achievements and future commitments with such initiatives as:

  • the creation of a ‘single window’ for trade such as in Singapore and New Zealand
  • the expansion of the Australian Trusted Trader Programme (ATTP)
  • the recent completion of 4 Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with other Customs services for those in the ATTP
  • the promise of more MRAs with customs services in other trading partners
  • the development and implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to improve the use of those current and future FTAs by the adoption of robust Rules of Origin, enhanced border clearance facilitation
  • the increased use of more advance technology and reporting systems

There were similar references to commitments in the migration space as relating to the movement of persons.

The comments provide a degree of assurance to industry that the current work agenda would be maintained and developed and that the engagement with industry remained a priority. While the reference to the achievements and initiative represents only a reiteration of those developments currently known to industry, their clear support from Government filled in a gap in the story which arose with the announcements relating to the DHA.

Industry looks forward to continued engagement on these projects and its ongoing collaborative work with Government, whether the DIBP, the ABF or other agencies who have a role at the border.

Disclaimer: This publication contains comments of a general nature only and is provided as an information service. It is not intended to be relied upon as, nor is it a substitute for specific professional advice. No responsibility can be accepted by Rigby Cooke Lawyers or the authors for loss occasioned to any person doing anything as a result of any material in this publication.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

©2017 Rigby Cooke Lawyers