new poll conducted on national identity by the Australian National University has found that Australians strongly support immigration, with nearly nine in 10 people thinking immigrants improve Australian society.

The survey found resounding support for immigration, finding it is both good for the economy and for society, although there was significant calls for stronger measures to exclude illegal immigrants.

Cambodia has approved the transfer of four refugees from Australia as part of a controversial agreement under which the south-east Asian nation has received almost $40 million in additional aid from Australia.

Australian Immigration Minister, Peter Dutton, says that Australia is in the process of transferring a small group of refugees to Cambodia under a resettlement deal between the two countries.

Major boost for Australian border controls

As Europe continues to grapple with the humanitarian catastrophe of Mediterranean migration deaths, an increasing number of countries are looking to Australia as a source of border control inspiration. Known for its tough stance on unauthorized migrants, it would seem that Australians themselves do not consider the current arrangements robust enough. In response, Australia’s border security is about to undergo a ‘once in a generation’ overhaul which is likely to mean an increasingly rigorous style of policing national boundaries. With passenger movements across the country’s borders expected to experience a sizeable increase from around 33 million people in 2012-13 to an estimated 50 million people by 2020, it is clear that innovative ways will need to be found to deal with this increasing demand. The soon to be formed Australian Border Force is seen to be the answer to this challenge and is designed to be fit for purpose for the years ahead. Here we look at the background to this new agency and how immigration will be affected by its formation.