Southeast Asia’s looming drug crisis threatens regional security

The regional drug crisis provides an opportunity for Australia to work with ASEAN authorities to strengthen border controls and disrupt illicit drug supply chains.

Australia’s other border security problem: visa overstayers

There’s been plenty of discussion about the problem of asylum seekers arriving by boats, but the problem of visitors overstaying their visas is a much more common problem.

Australian border security: hope against hope

While Australia’s ‘Operation Sovereign Borders’ has been a resounding success in dramatically reducing the flow of irregular migrants to Australia by sea, the reopening of the Christmas Island detention centre has renewed the debate around illegal migration.

Festival drug deaths should spark a deeper debate

The latest deaths of young people at music festivals have sparked an overdue public debate on drug harm reduction, zero tolerance of drug use, and pill testing but a broader discussion on the strategic challenges of reducing the supply of drugs is required.

Improving maritime security in the Asia–Pacific

Over recent years, Asia–Pacific maritime security has become increasingly complex. Illegal fishing, piracy, terrorism, the trafficking of weapons, drugs and people and an increasingly assertive Chinese Navy all threaten regional peace and prosperity.

Australia should privatise visa processing

It would be wonderful if the government had the resources to purchase, maintain and upgrade its own visa processing systems and if every application could be assessed by a trained Home Affairs official, however neither of these appears possible.

Mice that roar: patrol and coastal combatants in ASEAN

ASPI’s border security program has released a special report which explores the diverse approaches to maritime sovereignty in the region and the implications for Australian policymakers.

Policing illicit drugs effectively

Real successes in reducing the supply and use of illicit drugs are frequently overlooked or undermined, often because they’re inconvenient for the many advocates of decriminalisation.

What can be done about illegal drugs?

Although they regularly hit the headlines, major drug finds and the arrest of significant dealers does little to stem the flow of illegal drugs into Australia. Alternative measures must complement law enforcement to deal with the problem today.

Time for a national strategy?

Australia needs a lot more than luck or a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude to thrive in the uncertain and hyper competitive 21st century. Without a national strategy, the shaping of Australia’s destiny will be left to fate at best, or to foreign influence at worst.