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Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Media release

Border Watch campaign gives all Australians the chance to protect our border

​​As our nation reopens to the world, the Morrison Government is encouraging all Australians who live and work near our international border to report suspicious activity to the Australian Border Force’s (ABF) Border Watch program – through a public information campaign with the tagline ‘if it doesn’t feel right, flag it’.

Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said it was great to see Australian airports, hotels, and tourist attractions gearing up to welcome tourists back, but acknowledged the reality that smugglers and criminals would also use our reopening to enter Australia.

“Our police and law enforcement agencies are preparing for those criminals who would seek to cross our borders and break our laws; but the public has an important role to play too,” Minister Andrews said.

“That’s why the Border Watch campaign is so important – after two years of limited international travel, it encourages Australians to recognise and understand how they can help by reporting suspicious behaviour and activity that may need to be investigated.​

“Locals are best placed to judge activities that may seem suspicious in their community. They know what stands out and what doesn’t – that’s why I’m encouraging everyone in Australia to engage with the campaign, help protect our borders, and flag anything that doesn’t feel right.”

Reporting is simple and can be done anonymously. If something doesn’t feel right, flag it at​ borderwatch.gov.au​​.​