For the first time, the new paramilitary Australian Border Force (ABF) announced that it was going to target anti-social behavior and potential visa fraudsters (along with criminals) in the Melbourne CBD. The new ABF is a combined Immigration and Customs departments. The collaboration with transport officials and police, called Operation Fortitude, was then cancelled after protestors blocked traffic and trams in a snap protest outside Flinders Station. The Abbott government is now under pressure to explain why the operation, which included the ABF, involved stopping people for visa checks and a “chat.”
It all started when the ABF Regional Commander for Victoria and Tasmania, Don Smith, said in a press release that officers would be positioned “at various locations around the CBD speaking with any individual we cross paths with.” He also said that the operation was intended to be a “standard police operation.”
Obviously, the operation was intended to be real, though the original methods are not clear. Government officials could be expected to treat such operations as “standard.”
However, independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie compared the ABF to East Germany’s Stasi, and said that the government has “shown its hand” by planning the event. “Joseph Stalin would be proud of Tony Abbott. Just as East Germany’s Stasi would be delighted with the Australian Border Force. Why even General Pinochet would be impressed,” he said.
In a response to the protest the Department of Immigration and Border Protection spokesman said the ABF “does not and will not stop people at random in the streets… ABF officers will assist partner agencies by conducting background visa checks on individuals who are referred to us,” the spokesman said, adding the operation was being led by Victoria Police.
Saying that the original press release was “clumsily worded,” Roman Quaedviieg said it had been “approved by the lower levels of the organisation,” and that there had never been “any intent for the Australian Border Force to proactively go out and seek immigration breaches.” He also said the mission was “incorrectly construed.”
The operation was designed to promote “a secure and cohesive society” in Melbourne. Transit official Campbell Mill said the collaboration would work “in the best interests of Melbournians [sic].” In cancelling the operation, the communique said that the “high level of community interest” had been taken into account.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was trained by the Jesuits. His government is under the influence of the Society of Jesus. And now the government is attempting to institute totalitarian principles. Could this have been a test to see if the people would tolerate totalitarian tactics?
Western nations will over throw every principle of their constitutions and all of their citizen’s rights. See Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 451.
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