We need to strengthen NQ borders

AUGUST 27, 2018: I'VE called for a greater focus on border security in North Queensland following this week's attempt by those on a Vietnamese fishing vessel to enter the country illegally via the Daintree River.I'd like to see a beefed up North Queensland-based Australian Border Force presence in a central location such as Townsville which could draw on resources out of each of the district offices up the coast.While I expect this current incursion will be dealt with swiftly with Peter Dutton returned as Home Affairs Minister, I will be writing to the Minister about strengthening our borders in the north.We have a lot of issues with people seeking illegal entry to the country from the Torres Strait and Papua New Guinea due to their lax border security and their proximity to North Queensland.I’ve also had a string of complaints around unlawful work practices involving foreign workers in the region.There have been complaints about Filipino workers at solar farms near Townsville, Bulgarian workers at solar farms in Collinsville and raids on illegal workers in Bowen.While we have Border Force district offices in a number of towns along the Queensland coast, they are generally not equipped to deal with illegal immigrants and unlawful workers.Townsville is a central location; it’s a one-hour flight to both Cairns and Mackay, and it’s in driving distance to centres like the Burdekin and Innisfail.