Maintaining the integrity of Australia's borders

Regional Cooperation Framework

The Government will provide $292 million to support a Regional Cooperation Framework agreed at the recent Bali Process Ministerial Conference through:

• a cooperative transfer agreement to transfer 800 irregular maritime arrivals (IMAs) to Malaysia; and
• accepting 4,000 genuine refugees currently in Malaysia through an increase in the Humanitarian Program.

These measures along with other Government border security initiatives will deter people smuggling.

Prevention and deterrence

The Government is investing $95 million to work with governments of regional source and transit countries to:

• strengthen migration and border management capacity;
• establish processes for the return and resettlement of IMAs; and
• prevent and disrupt people smuggling ventures by liaising and cooperating with key government law enforcement agencies.

Surveillance and detection

The Government is maintaining a strong surveillance presence in Australia's northern waters by:

• extending the lease of the ACV Triton maritime patrol vessel at a cost of $62 million; and
• continuing extra aerial surveillance in support of the interception of people smuggling ventures.

Assessment and prosecution

An additional $108 million will be provided to maintain the Government's rigorous but fair asylum seeker processing system, including for scrutiny of refugee claims.

To complement the new offences and increased penalties for criminal groups involved in people smuggling, this Budget also provides funding for the prosecution of people smugglers.