In a recent development it was decided that there will now be more control with the anti-corruption agency to carry out detailed probes into matters relating to customs and officers in the border protection department.

The suggestion made by the joint parliamentary committee has been backed up gladly by Brendan O’Connor, Home Affairs Minister. They recommended that there should be an increment in the powers given to the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity.

This is the agency which currently has the onus of carrying out investigations associated with corruption in the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Crime Commission.

Starting next year the agency will also be able to probe the charges of corrupt actions done by officials in the department of customs and border protection.

The Home Affairs Minister will send in an application regarding the same to Quentin Bryce, Governor-General to introduce the regulations.

Mr O’Connor said that it was very important that customs and border protection officers will be subject to the same accountability standards as other federal law enforcement agencies.

He also said that it was utterly important the officials from the customs and border protection be held responsible for their actions in the same way that other federal law enforcement agencies are.