Today, a Customs Group has been established in the Australian Border Force (ABF) within the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Affairs Portfolio.
Since 1901, customs has had a long and positive history – in advancing trade and travel, revenue collection, and protecting Australia’s border.
“As Commissioner and Comptroller General for Customs, my focus remains on how best to use and build on the expertise and knowledge of our people to deliver outcomes that enhance both Australia’s economic prosperity and safety”, ABF Commissioner Outram said.
Through our work across the border continuum we make a significant contribution to the priorities of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Affairs Portfolio and Australian Government more broadly”.
The Customs Group is headed by Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bradley Armstrong PSM. The Group encompasses traveller, trade and customs related policy, and customs related compliance, with a strong focus on industry engagement.
A Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Branch has also been established in the new Group to address anti-slavery, including migrant worker exploitation, through global supply chains.
The Customs Group is staffed by a blended team – with ABF officers and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Affairs employees. Integration will provide an immediate and significant opportunity to better align trade and customs activities.
ABF Commissioner Outram said “I am committed to strengthening Australia’s Customs service to better support Australian trading businesses, and travellers seeking to cross our border”.
“This Group will deliver a trade and customs engagement strategy that I will announce later this year, focussing on enhancing ABF’s collaboration with industry in modernising how goods and people move across Australia’s border in the future”.
