January 30, 2025
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has promised to “restore Operation Sovereign Borders” if he wins the next election, blaming the Albanese government for weakening national security.
Mr Dutton has made law and order central to his political agenda ahead of the upcoming federal election, expected to be held on or before May 17.
Amid rumours that the Albanese government would abolish the Home Affairs portfolio after the election, the opposition has committed to boosting the department.
“Anthony Albanese has dismantled the Home Affairs portfolio, failed to deliver adequate aerial surveillance and maritime patrols, and weakened Operation Sovereign Borders—putting our national security and biosecurity at risk,” Mr Dutton said on Wednesday.
“Boats are arriving undetected, and local communities are raising the alarm instead of our security agencies.
“An elected Dutton Government will restore Home Affairs, return key national security agencies under one roof, and restore Operation Sovereign Borders in full to the tried and tested settings established by the Coalition.”
Shadow home affairs minister James Paterson outlined details of the security overhaul at the Sydney Institute on Thursday.
“I can confirm that under a Dutton Coalition Government, our key national security policy and operational agencies will be under one roof,” he said.
“ASIO, the Australian Federal Police, the Criminal Intelligence Commission and AUSTRAC will be returned to Home Affairs.
“Home Affairs will again be the preeminent domestic national security portfolio. And the high expectations we will have of them will be clear from day one.”
The announcement comes after Mr Dutton revealed he would enforce mandatory prison sentences for all acts of terrorism amid the spate of attacks on the Jewish community.
The Coalition’s plan includes sweeping reforms to combat antisemitism and extremism, focusing on stronger penalties and laws that send a clear message to perpetrators.
These included minimum six-year prison terms for terror offences and mandatory 12-month sentences, up to five years, for displays of Nazi or terror symbols.
The opposition also revealed it would amend laws to make it a hate crime to urge or threaten violence to places of worship, with five-to-seven-year prison sentences.
“Antisemitism has created this national crisis and it requires a national response,” Mr Dutton said at a press conference earlier this month.
“Those people who are up waving flags and glorifying terrorist leaders… they have no place in our country.”
Mr Paterson, who spoke alongside Mr Dutton at the time, said the government's "weakness" had emboldened perpetrators of antisemitic violence.
“A campaign of terror has been unleashed on the Australian Jewish community and those responsible have clearly been emboldened by the inaction of the Albanese government,” he said.
“Only strong action and real consequences will bring this to an end.”
Since the last election in 2022, concerns about "reducing crime and maintaining law and order" have increased more than any other issue - according to polling from Roy Morgan.
The Coalition has committed to uniform knife laws across the country, stop-and-search police powers, toughened bail laws, and mandatory sentences for terrorism incidents.
The Albanese government has sought to deliver funding to address the scourge of gender-based violence and antisemitism, as well as strengthening hate crime laws.
