What is need on this is a reality check, when it comes to illegal "overstayers" living within Australia. From the SMH December 2014.

The department says an estimated 62,100 people were unaccounted for in Australia during 2014, which is roughly 1.2 per cent of the 5.5 million people who enter the country each year on temporary visas.

Where do they come from? In 2013 by nationality came from China (7690), Malaysia (6420), the US (5220) and the UK (3780). I suspect the high number of Chinese and Malays may be many students who overstay and the Americans and Brits backpackers who go beyond their temporary visa. Many may well eventually voluntarily return home. On top of new arrivals there are to quote the national president of the Migration Institute of Australia, Angela Chan, "They may have been here for 20 years and you know, have just forgotten to do something about their visas. And they have now become a substantial part of the community, they are employed and they have connections here."
Given what is known about overstayers is Abbott and Dutton overstepping the make with their poorly paid, under trained, paramilitary Australian Boarder Force? I think so.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/the-australian-border-force-recruitment-drive-what-australias-newest-security-agency-is-looking-for-in-new-recruits-20150830-gjbb2k.html

Armchair Critic,
It already exists and has for a long time.
John Anderson (ex MP) created it and I think it was called The Australian Transport Authority
I am searching my record for the story so stay tuned.
Somebody filed it under 'conspiracies'

Armchair Critic,
Scrub that name: The Australian Transport Authority
It was: Office of Transport Security Organization and according to Canberra it doesn't exist and never did.
Office of Transport Security

Minister; John Anderson


Andrew Tongue; (FAS) Head of Dept
Judy Chandler; (EA) Dep Head of Dept

Governance

Sandra Dilley; (Dir)


Maritime Security; John Kilner (AS) Judy Chandler (EA

Maritime Security Policy
- Helen Dorning

Maritime Assessment and Review
- Patricia Georgee

Maritime Security Capability Building
- David Harrod (A/g)

Security Identification
- Patricia Liubesic

Security Analysis
- Tony Beard

International Relations
- Lance Thomas

Regional and Freight Security; Vicki Dickman(AS) Hannah Lukasiak (EA)

Freight Security
- Winton Brocklebank

Regional Airports and General Aviation
- Julie Fox

Transport Strategy
- Sharon Ronald (A/g)

Regional Airline Security
- Andrew Lalor

Aviation Security; Andy Turner (AS) Carolyn Shelper (EA

Aviation Security Capability Building
- Rita Parker

Compliance Operations (Aviation)
- Mike Frazer

Security Standards
- Leigh Crutchley

Legislation Implementation
- Darren Crombie

Aviation Security Programs
- Steve Dreezer

National Audit and Compliance Reform
- Tony Mazzer

Paul1405,

Your 'reality check' didn't include the concerns and reviews by previous governments OF BOTH PERSUASIONS and one with Greens sidekicks (Gillard), that were concerned to control Visa overstayers and others with an interest in fading into society.

Your outrage is bollocks. Police State? It is just the Greens and other serial activists trying to draw attention to themselves to get cheap headlines, or any exposure at all.

Hi ChrisGaff1000,
I don't know anything about the Office of Transport Security Organisation or even anything about the Australian Border Force for that matter.

But one can assume where technology and security are headed, and read between the lines of what was said.

I suspect that they didn't plan for so much backlash, which is why they are making a big deal out of the "clumsy comment".
I suspect they intended to carry out operation, catch a heap of baddies, parade with news headlines about what a success the operation was and continue to implement their agenda.

It was things like 'taxis', and people with 'outstanding warrants' and were not going to ask people for ID.

Why do they need use-of-force and deadly-force (gun)if they are just targeting visa over-stayers??

They aren't going to identify people with outstanding warrants by asking them, because people will just give false info.

So they are going to identify people using other methods.

By using automated facial recognition software they can take all the people out from in front of the security screens and put them out on the beat.

This is a public transport related operation.
The only thing I didn't see as part of the grid was buses and vic-roads.

These new guys can take the job of picking up wanted people away from police so police can focus on police work.

This is going to be like a response team to people located on public transport.

This is going to be one step short of intercepting and black-bagging wanted individuals and throwing them into a van.. They are putting an immigration spin on it, but obviously they intend to incorporate it with general domestic police duties as well otherwise they wouldnt have mentioned people with outstanding warrants.

Just my uninformed guess.

Paul,

At last you admit that you are far worse than Abbott. In the last few months you have climbed into your jack boots and used Nazi references many times wrt the liberals and the new border force, yet can only find TA comparing ISIS that routinely hold mass executions to the Nazis which is in my opinion completely valid.

Armchair critic,

As for the visa over stayers, that is the ultimate furphy. From what I remember about 90% are visitors that overstay their visa but leave soon after. Those that stay get no free health, education nor housing and cost the government nearly nothing.