Jobs at the Immigration Department and the Customs agency will be affected by the merger of the two operations announced on Friday, but bosses have not yet revealed details.
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Public servants at the Immigration Department and Customs service were told by their bosses Martin Bowles and Mike Pezzullo on Friday that a new “Portfolio Reform Board” and a “Joint Reform Task Force” to oversee the merger would begin work on Monday.
Jobs would be affected by the move to a single department with the dramatic title Australian Border Force, the statement confirmed, but there were no details.
“This will result in a number of consequential staffing and structural adjustments within the department,” the joint statement sent to staff on Friday afternoon read.
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"In short, the Australian Border Force will draw together the operational border, investigations, compliance, detention and enforcement functions of our service and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
"Policy, regulatory and corporate functions will combine within the broader department."
The Border Force will be part of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. It will be led by a civilian commissioner, reporting directly to the Immigration Minister.
The move, which was recommended by the Commission of Audit, means the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service will not exist from July.