Australian Customs and Border Protection Industry Summit (NNF 2014/100)


On 18 August 2014, representatives of the Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia Inc. (Chairman and Executive Director) along with one hundred and fifty plus other industry representatives attended the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBP) Industry Summit. The Industry Summit was opened by Senator Hon. Michaelia Cash, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Full details of the Agenda for the Industry Summit and Discussion Papers are set out in the referenced link:
Industry Summit Agenda and Released Discussion Papers

There was a wide cross-section of industry representative to hear from the Chief Executive Officer ACBP and the Secretary, Department of Immigration and Border Protection address with industry the changing face of Customs and Border Protection and Immigration arrangements with particular emphasis on the Australian Border Force (ABF) effective from 1 July 2015. The ABF portfolio consolidation as to change in arrangements and in particular what that change means for industry within the context of the ACBP Reform Program was also provided.

Breakout panels occurred throughout the day on:
  •          Travel
  •          Border
  •          Trade and goods
  •          Strategy of:
             - Trusted trader program
             - Reinvigorating industry engagement
             - Contributing to high level governments
               deregulation agenda

In relation to these sessions, the focus was as to strategy rather than process. While many in the audience were hearing such messages for perhaps the first time, the CBFCA (through its work in a variety of international /national /regional interfaces with customs administration, and in particular with the ACBP), noted these issues were more work in progress reports as to policy and process development and reflected the CBFCA commentary to the ACBP in 2013 on the key issues (attached).

From the CBFCA perspective the Industry Summit provided for the regulator the opportunity to give to delegates an overarching view of 1 July 2015 and beyond. For the CBFCA and those who participate in service provision to international trade logistics and supply chain management the implications from the Trade and Customs Section of the newly integrated administration will be the key. As always, the devil is in detail.

The ACBP Media Release from the Industry Summit is attached for the interest of members and when the report is available it will be referred to members.

CBFCA Team