Australia's aerial border protection capabilities have suffered a dramatic decline in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, with new figures revealing surveillance flight numbers remain significantly below pre-pandemic levels.
Shocking Numbers Reveal Border Vulnerability
Official data shows Australian Border Force surveillance flights have plummeted, operating at just 76% of pre-COVID capacity. The figures paint a concerning picture of the nation's ability to monitor its vast maritime borders against threats including illegal fishing, unauthorized vessel arrivals, and potential security breaches.
Coalition Senator Jonno Duniam has slammed the "underwhelming" performance, warning that Australia's border integrity is being compromised by inadequate aerial coverage.
"Completely Unacceptable" Security Gap
"These numbers are completely unacceptable," Senator Duniam told Parliament. "We're talking about a fundamental responsibility of government - protecting our borders. To see such a significant drop in surveillance flights years after the pandemic ended raises serious questions about this government's commitment to national security."
The Tasmanian Senator highlighted that while pandemic restrictions initially justified reduced operations, the continued underperformance suggests deeper systemic issues within border protection resources and priorities.
What the Data Shows
The alarming statistics reveal:
- Surveillance flights operating at just three-quarters of pre-pandemic levels
- No significant recovery in flight numbers since border restrictions lifted
- Potential gaps in monitoring Australia's extensive exclusive economic zone
- Reduced capacity to detect illegal fishing operations in northern waters
Government Accountability Demanded
Senator Duniam is demanding immediate answers from the Albanese government about when border patrol flights will return to full capacity and what interim measures are in place to address security vulnerabilities.
"Australians deserve to know their borders are being properly protected," he stated. "This isn't about politics - it's about basic national security. We need a clear timeline for when surveillance operations will be restored to pre-pandemic levels and what's being done to address this security gap in the meantime."
The revelation comes amid growing concerns about regional security challenges and increased people smuggling activity in Southeast Asian waters, making robust border surveillance more critical than ever.
