Border Protection Command (Australia)

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The Australian Government's Border Protection Command (BPC) is a multi-agency command which was established in 2005 to coordinate the protection of Australia’s offshore assets. The command was originally named Joint Offshore Protection Command but was renamed in October 2006.

The Command is constituted by elements of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and the Australian Defence Force (ADF), with its headquarters in Canberra. The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service is within the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Since September 2013, BPC has been part of Operation Sovereign Borders, which operates as a Joint Agency Taskforce. The Commander of OSB is Lieutenant General Angus Campbell.

The BPC delivers a coordinated national approach to offshore protection by operating as a single maritime surveillance, response and interception agency.

It detects and deters a wide range of illegal activities using a combination of Customs and Defence aircraft and vessels. Customs response assets include Coastwatch aircraft and National Marine Unit patrol vessels. Its activities take place under a variety of legislation covering areas such as customs, fisheries, quarantine, immigration, environment and law enforcement.

The ADF elements of BPC are commanded from Northern Command in Darwin, Northern Territory.

The Command is responsible for coordinating and controlling operations to protect Australia's national interests against the following maritime security threats:

  • Illegal exploitation of natural resources
  • Illegal activity in protected areas
  • Unauthorised maritime arrivals
  • Prohibited imports/exports
  • Maritime Terrorism
  • Piracy
  • Compromise to Bio-security
  • Marine pollution.

Commander Border Protection - Appointees

Rank Name Service Term began Term ended
Rear Admiral James Goldrick AM, CSC, RAN Navy October 2006 May 2008
Rear Admiral Allan du Toit AM, RAN Navy May 2008 February 2010
Rear Admiral Tim Barrett AM, CSC, RAN Navy February 2010 December 2011
Rear Admiral David Johnston AM, RAN Navy December 2011 December 2013
Rear Admiral Michael Noonan AM, RAN Navy December 2013 Incumbent

See also

References