Talks to Strengthen Regional Border Security Measures

Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, will visit Indonesia tomorrow as part of a broader visit to a number of South-East Asian countries to discuss regional cooperation on border security and anti-people smuggling initiatives.

Senator Evans and Australian Minister for Home Affairs Bob Debus will lead a senior Australian Government delegation which includes the Ambassador for People Smuggling Issues, Michael Potts.

The delegation will hold talks in Jakarta tomorrow with Indonesian Minister for Law and Human Rights, Andi Mattalatta.

They will also meet senior representatives of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and regional representatives of the International Organization for Migration and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

“Indonesia, along with Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, are key partners for Australia and our Governments are committed to a close, practical working relationship,” Senator Evans said.

“We are doing a lot together to improve border security, including through forensic document examination programs and initiatives to detect people who seek to travel on fake or altered passports.”

“We are also exploring ways to better share information between countries in the region on immigration issues and trends which will help prevent people-smuggling, human trafficking and other forms of trans-national crime.”

Senator Evans said the talks will provide an opportunity to reiterate the Australian Government’s commitment to mandatory detention for unauthorised arrivals and excision as key election commitments in the Government’s strong border control policy.

**Media are invited to a joint press conference following the Ministerial-level meeting:
Wednesday 6 August 2008 at 1100 am
Supomo Room (Level 7), Ministry of Law and Human Rights,
Jl. HR. Rasuna Said Kav.6-7 Kuningan

Media Enquiries:
Jenny Dee, Counsellor (Public Affairs) tel. (021) 2550 5290 mob. 0811 187 3175