Michael Outram, the Commissioner of the Australian Border Force (ABF), has been reappointed to the position until November 9, 2024. 

In a statement issued on April 12, Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil stated that the ABF has shown to be a vital economic and national security asset in protecting Australia’s border. 

The Commissioner has been with the ABF since 2015, acted as Commissioner from May 2017 before being sworn in on 2018.  

“He has provided exceptional leadership and stability to the ABF and has brought a sharp focus on driving operational excellence, professionalism, culture and values,” said Clare O’Neil, Minister for Home Affairs. 

A former British national, Outram migrated to Australia in 2002 after a secondment to the New South Wales Police Service while serving with the London Metropolitan Police. 

With more than three decades of law enforcement experience under his bent, he is an expert in community policing, covert operations, criminal intelligence, protective and major event security, public order management, and the investigation of terrorism, transnational organised crime, corruption and other serious crime 

“As part of the Home Affairs portfolio, the ABF is an unfailing partner in the national security community, working closely with other agencies to share knowledge, expertise and intelligence in order to detect, deter and prosecute those who attempt to do us harm at the border,” O’Neil added. 

Commissioner Outram previously worked as an Assistant Commissioner with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), where he was in charge of the service’s national protection function, which included close personal protection, the National Witness Protection Programme, uniform protection, and special event preparation. 

In 2014, he was the AFP’s operational commander for the G20 Summit in Brisbane, and he led the response to Russia’s downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine. 

“Under Mr Outram’s leadership, the ABF will continue to be a global leader in border security and a trusted partner that helps build a safe, resilient and prosperous Australia.” 

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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