Maritime Border Command (Australia)

Maritime Border Command
Active 2005–present
Country Australia
Role Maritime security
Maritime surveillance
Border control
Part of joint Australian Border Force/Australian Defence Force
Headquarters location Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Commanders
Current
commander		 Rear Admiral Peter Laver

The Maritime Border Command (MBC) is the principal civil maritime security authority and de facto coast guard of Australia. It is a multi-agency command within the Department of Home Affairs comprising both Australian Border Force and Australian Defence Force personnel led by a Royal Australian Navy Rear Admiral.[1][2]

The Command was established in 2005 originally named the Joint Offshore Protection Command. In October 2006 it was renamed to the Border Protection Command and was again renamed to its current name in July 2015 to coincide with the establishment of the Australian Border Force.[3]

Structure

The Command is constituted by elements of the Australian Border Force and the Australian Defence Force, with its headquarters in Canberra and is part of the Operations Group of the ABF.[2] The Australian Border Force is part of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Since September 2013, the Maritime Border Command has supported the Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce.

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

Role

The MBC 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 ABF and Defence aircraft and vessels. ABF response assets include Coastwatch aircraft and 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 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.

Commanders

RankNameServiceTerm beganTerm ended
Commander Border Protection
Rear AdmiralJames Goldrick AM, CSC, RANNavyOctober 2006May 2008
Rear AdmiralAllan du Toit AM, RANNavyMay 2008February 2010
Rear AdmiralTim Barrett AM, CSC, RANNavyFebruary 2010December 2011
Rear AdmiralDavid Johnston AM, RANNavyDecember 2011December 2013
Rear AdmiralMichael Noonan AM, RANNavyDecember 201314 January 2016
Commander Maritime Border Command
Rear AdmiralPeter Laver AM, RANNavy14 January 2016Incumbent

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Maritime Border Command – Australian Border Force". Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Department of Immigration and Border Protection – Annual Report 2015–16" (PDF). Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  3. ↑ "Maritime Border Command's History – Australian Border Force". Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
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