PROTESTERS say they will fight off any attempts to rejuvenate a police operation to randomly check visas in Melbourne’s CBD.
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Protesters stop traffic outside Flinders Street during action against Operation Border Force.
Later Roman Quaedvlieg, ABF Commissioner, told reporters the body’s press release was “clumsily worded” and had been “misconstrued”.
The furore erupted on Friday when the Australian Border Force (ABF) issued a news release saying that its officers would join police and transport officials in Melbourne city this weekend to speak “with any individual we cross paths with” to identify visa fraudsters.
The Australian Border Force’s press release was what sparked the outrage, as it implied that random visa checks would be conducted in the street, an action reminiscent of vigilante activities along the Mexican border.
“With a particular focus on people travelling to, from and around the CBD, the group of agencies will work together to support the best interests of Melburnians, targeting everything from anti-social behaviour to outstanding warrants”.
Former independent MP Tony Windsor has slammed a bungled government operation that would have seen people stopped for passport checks on the streets of Melbourne, telling ABC radio he had no doubt that some in the Abbott government “hope that something goes wrong domestically”.
Victoria Police cancelled the operation on Friday following a huge public protests and outcry. Instead of taking responsibility for the error, the federal government was throwing “some middle level, bureaucrat in a uniform under the bus”, he said.
Opposition Immigration spokesman Richard Marles said the government’s handling of the operation was at best clumsy and at worst shambolic.
LABOR and the Greens are calling on Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to publicly explain the intention of a cancelled Australian Border Force operation.
“This is an astounding admission which portrays an incompetent minister”, Mr Marles said.
“It is not meaningful policy it is simply a show of force”, Mr Georgiou said.
Under a certain law enforced by ABF, an officer is authorised to intercept anyone who is suspected to be an illegal non-citizen and asked to present personal identity papers such as passports and visa.
“His office knew. They were sent a media release outlining what was to happen and do-nothing Dutton did nothing about it”, Senator Di Natale said.
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“The ABF later supplied a “clarifying statement” on their ideas, saying: “[We] certainly aren’t “stopping people at large at random” in Melbourne to actually “check people’s papers” as noted in media”.
