Border Security - are we tough enough?

[Cambridge Clarrie]

After watching Border Security the other night I really had to wonder whether we are really tough enough on those people bringing food/plant matter/animals/explosives into the country via our airports. There was one bloke on there who had a heap of fireworks packed in with some cigarette lighters and he was allowed to leave with a caution. I'm constantly astounded by how small our fines are for the importation of dangerous and/or illegal items. A $200 fine for bringing in seeds which could destroy our agricultural sector...I'd get a larger fine for exceeding the speed limit by 10km/h.

Maybe I just need to pack up and go to live in Singapore...

[smac]

I am staggered by the approach shown on that show.

I once was hauled over the coals for failing to declare a 100gm fruitcake (a gift for grandma - kept me in the good books!). It was simply an oversight and they said they believed me, however the bollocking dished out for an oversight was vastly different from the cautions they give on TV for deliberate breaches.

[Dirko]

My better half is a Customs Broker, and when we put that down on the immigration card it certainly helps...
Am travelling again in October to Singapore and Phuket, with the tribe, so get to enjoy our lovely border
control...
Mind you compared to coming overland ex Loas to Vietnam, they are pretty good !

[Psyber]

After watching Border Security the other night I really had to wonder whether we are really tough enough on those people bringing food/plant matter/animals/explosives into the country via our airports. There was one bloke on there who had a heap of fireworks packed in with some cigarette lighters and he was allowed to leave with a caution. I'm constantly astounded by how small our fines are for the importation of dangerous and/or illegal items. A $200 fine for bringing in seeds which could destroy our agricultural sector...I'd get a larger fine for exceeding the speed limit by 10km/h.

Maybe I just need to pack up and go to live in Singapore...

I agree thay are a bit soft. When I brought a weapon into Australia - an Iban blowpipe from Borneo - I declared it and then argued that it was half-size and only ornamental, yes it had a hole through it but I could put a hole through something at home, and yes I had the darts but after all I could make them at home using Shiskabab skewers from the supermarket. All up front, and eventually they let me bring them in. I didn't break the law by trying to snealk it in, just made my case against the standard presumption.

If it had been something genuinely dangerous they could have simply taken it. People who try to sneak things in that could damage or ecology and industry should be dealt with harshly.

[Dirko]

Equine Flu anyone ???

[TroyGFC]

Customs are wan kers!!! Everytime I go to Bali they always make me empty my suitcase thinking I have brought a bbgun!! As if I would bring one back after playing with it for 2 weeks straight (not myself to the wise crackers out there!!).

After watching border security why would any one want to come to Australia on holidays when they send them back if only have $1k.

[Squawk]

I think you will find that the reason customs, quarantine and immigration participate in the show at all is to 'educate' the public.

That means they want people to know the laws and respect them, and not get castigated by the civil libertarians for coming down hard on minority groups.

From my observations it is almost always foreign nationals that are featured - seldom are Australian citizens on there.

[Cambridge Clarrie]

I think you will find that the reason customs, quarantine and immigration participate in the show at all is to 'educate' the public.

That means they want people to know the laws and respect them, and not get castigated by the civil libertarians for coming down hard on minority groups.

From my observations it is almost always foreign nationals that are featured - seldom are Australian citizens on there.

I agree Squawk about the education side of things. And for many people it would have a positive effect. I'm just worried about the message that giving small fines sends to people who don't care quite as much about our unique flora and fauna.

If you've signed something that says you have no food/plant material and then you're found with it, you should be automatically fined $5,000 IMHO. As for the guy with the fireworks, that's a gaol sentence as far as I'm concerned - definitely not a warning...

[Magpiespower]

Coming home from an OS trip with my olds via Singapore, I had a small magnetic draughts board in my jacket pocket.

Went through the metal detectors and they went off!

Though not nearly as much as the over-zealous machine-gun armed security guards who took me away for questioning and a search.

I was twelve...

[smac]

And pretty small and unassuming at that age MP.

Would have looked a real threat I reckon.

[Pseudo]

If you've signed something that says you have no food/plant material and then you're found with it, you should be automatically fined $5,000 IMHO.

Going through customs in Sydney - having just returned from the USA and had NO sleep on the flight - I signed such a document claiming to have no plant/animal/sealife/etc products in my baggage. I knew as a fact I didn't have any in my luggage. I was also bringing home a case full of stuff for my sister who lived in San Francisco. I was there when she packed it, and I didn't remember anything untoward going in to it.

Sure enough when her case went through the X-Ray they stopped it, then brought it back through for another look... then the operator looked at me and said the now immortal line:

"What's the skeleton made of?"

Not a question you want to be asked in the customs queue! The model skeleton (which my sis used as part of her yoga instruction) was made of metal and plastic, so no trouble.

30 seconds later a burly bloke comes over to me with the document I had signed, spoke very gruffly, got me to look at it, confirm that it was my signature, and that I understood what I had signed. Once I'd confirmed everything, he went to the case and produced a necklace made out of lacquered seashells.

At this point I swear I could hear the snap of the Latex gloves as they were getting pulled on...

I got away with a very stern talking to. From the outset, before they had even opened the case, I had claimed that it was not my luggage, I was only bringing it home for my sister, and to the best of my knowledge there was nothing forbidden in it. I reckon that this fact alone is what spared me from the body cavity search, or at least the hefty fine.

Lesson learned!