You couldn't make this up. Some months ago, Australian customs and immigration services were integrated with a new paramilitary-type organization called the Australian Border Security Force, known as the ABF, which began operations July 1. People remarked at the time that their uniforms — a rebranding exercise that cost us overburdened taxpayers 10 million Australian dollars — were reminiscent of some sinister forces in history, but then forgot about it.
Maybe the ABF suffered from attention deficit syndrome. Last Friday, they came back into the nation's focus with a vengeance. And then some.
The regional commander for Victoria and Tasmania, Don Smith, issued a public warning that ABF officers would be positioned "at various locations" downtown, "speaking with any individual we cross paths with" over the weekend. The public was warned: "You need to be aware of the conditions of your visa; if you commit visa fraud it's only a matter of time before you're caught out." Moreover, the force would target "everything from anti-social behavior to outstanding warrants," with a particular focus on "people traveling to, from and around" the city center.