Who would travel to Australia when you have an over the top Border Force? I am a farmer so do know the importance of maintaining biosecurity. I haven't watched the show for years but decided to.
However, like many bureaucrats with power they abuse it. Sure some of it is over the top laws and fines passed by parliament perhaps, but many likely dictated by bureaucrats. Some examples:
- 24 cigarettes allowed to come in, and when they get here if they have cigarettes there is huge "duty" to pay, plus perhaps a fine! and then if they come here without cigarettes, they pay $50 dollars a packet! Only the rich can come.
- some woman brought in chilli's from Indonesia, a $400 fine!
- another bloke had been a bit suspicious with activities, but a lot of it supposition, then they find a violent video on phone....from some video sharing platform, he wasn't directly involved in it! But a $500 fine, as apparently having violent videos on your phone is an offence when you fine into the country!
- another old mate has packaged food , not a direct biosecurity threat, but oh, yet another 3 or 400 dollars fine!
It's just plain revenue raising and out of hand bureaucracy, and needs to be tackled and brought into line.
