Chair, I congratulate you on your appointment and acknowledge all new and returning Committee members.
As I've previously advised, pressures within our operating environment continue to rise. For example, over the last four financial years international air travellers have escalated by over 17 per cent—from 38 million to 44.7 million—while imported air cargo consignments have increased by about 52 per cent—from 34.9 million to about 53 million.
From an economic perspective this is a very good news story. As important as facilitating trade and travel, we also undertake a range of compliance and enforcement functions to maintain the effectiveness of our border in keeping Australia safe.
In line with the broader public service we're striving to improve all aspects of our business. We aim to be more efficient, for example, by searching less and finding more. We aim to find better ways of delivering our services, for example, through our Trusted Trader Program. And we aim to focus our operations to optimal effect, for example, by targeting more compliance operations against unscrupulous labour hire intermediaries.
Ultimately, we will have to find more ways to absorb ongoing volume increases in the number of people travelling to and from Australia and goods crossing our border and, at the same time, make the border a more convenient, seamless and digital experience.
Customs and border modernisation
In this regard, a specific focus for my Agency is modernising our customs and border functions.
Australia's two-way trade value is now worth more than $799 billion. Through the Australian Trusted Trader program, we're ensuring a more secure and efficient trading environment to support our nation's economy and international competiveness. Last financial year, 233 businesses were newly accredited under the program—an increase of 157 on the 2017-18 financial year. At present, there are just over 500 trusted traders. Importantly, the Australian Trusted Trader program provides a platform to test new technologies with trusted partners, such as block-chain. We have also aligned the program with the Department of Home Affairs' Known Consignor scheme, which secures air cargo exports by implementing security measures in the supply chain.
The ABF also continues to work with the New Zealand Customs Service to trial a digital secure trade lane. For businesses, the lane reduces administration and customs checks, while our respective government agencies obtain trade information more expeditiously so we can target our enforcement efforts on higher-risk trans-Tasman cargo. … read more