
Modernising Australia's border security
From The National Security Podcast by ANU National Security College
February 19, 2026 · 40 min
About this episode
This episode discusses the need for Australia to reconceptualise its borders as strategic assets and the implications of modern border management.
Why do Australia’s borders require a fundamental rethink? How can Australian governments build on the vision of Australia’s borders as a national strategic asset? How can new forms of border governance, such as the use of AI and advanced data analytics, be introduced without undermining public trust? What should the border look like for industry, travellers, the pubic, international partners and those interested in conducting trade with Australia? In this episode, Mike Outram joins Sally Bulkeley to discuss the need for Australia to reconceptualise its borders as strategic assets, the threats posed by transnational crime, and the economic benefits of modern border management. Sally Bulkeley is Deputy Head of the ANU National Security College (NSC). Mike Outram APM is a Distinguished Advisor at NSC. He was Commissioner of the Australian Border Force from 2018 to 2024. He has served as a law enforcement officer for over 30 years. TRANSCRIPT Show notes Securing our Future conference – Register now NSC academic programs – find out more Beyond the checkpoint: managing Australia’s border as a strategic economic and national security asset ACIC CEO ‘opens the…
People in this episode
Host: Sally Bulkeley
Guest: Mike Outram
Topics covered
- border security
- national strategy
- transnational crime
- AI in governance
- economic benefits
- public trust
Keywords
- border security
- Australia
- AI
- transnational crime
- economic benefits
- public trust
- governance
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: ANU National Security College, Australian Border Force, ACIC
Places: Australia
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