Michael Outram
APM
Michael Outram Official Australian Border Force Portrait
2nd Commissioner of the Australian Border Force
Assumed office
14 May 2018
Preceded byRoman Quaedvlieg
Comptroller-General of Customs
Assumed office
14 May 2018
Preceded byRoman Quaedvlieg
Assistant Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police
In office
2011–2015

Michael Outram is an Australian law enforcement officer and the current Commissioner of the Australian Border Force. He has served as a law enforcement officer for over 30 years and previously served with the Australian Federal Police.[1][2][3]

Career

Before AFP

Outram served as a detective in the London Metropolitan Police prior to migrating to Australia in 2002 and later joining the Australian Federal Police.[4][5]

Australian Federal Police

Outram served as an Assistant Commissioner in the Australian Federal Police where he lead the AFP's protection operations, including the close personal protection of high office holders, uniformed protection of commonwealth buildings, and Australia's witness protection program. Outram was also responsible for the AFP's operational response to the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 by Russia in Ukraine and the G20 Summit in Brisbane.[6][1]

Australian Border Force

Deputy Commissioner

Outram began his role at Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) as Deputy CEO in 2015.[6] Upon ACBPs transition to the Australian Border Force (ABF) later in 2015 Outram became a Deputy Commissioner and served as Deputy Commissioner Support Group until his appointment as Commissioner.[7]

Commissioner

Outram was appointed Commissioner of the Australian Border Force in May 2018 after his predecessor, Roman Quaedvlieg, had his appointment terminated by the Governor-General for a series of improprieties committed by the former Commissioner during his tenure. Outram had been serving as Acting Commissioner during the 10 months Quaedvlieg had been on indefinite leave as the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity investigated the allegations of improper conduct.[8][4] Upon being appointed to as Commissioner, Outram made clear his intention ensure the integrity of the ABF and committed to a series of organisational changes and a focus on using intelligence. Outram also committed the agency to tackle illegal tobacco, human trafficking, and slavery.[4] Outram's appointment was supported by Quaedvlieg.

In 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic ABF was accused of allowing infected passengers of the Ruby Princess Cruise Ship to enter Australia without Quanunteeing due to misreading flu tests, leading to more than 660 infections and more than 21 deaths.[9] This was disputed by ABF and Outram, with Outram clarifying that ABF did not possess the power to prevent the entry of passengers for human health reasons, instead placing the responsibility on the New South Wales Department of Health.[10][11] Outram's position was later vindicated by a NSW Special Inquiry which found that NSW Health was mostly to blame for the bungle.[12]

Outram was included in sanctions issued by Russia in response to Australia's own sanctions against Russian and Russian citizens due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[13]

Honours

Honours and awardsDate awardedCitation
Australian Police Medal (APM)2014[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Michael Outram Biography". Department of Home Affairs. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  2. ↑ "'Fairly inexperienced': Australian Border Force boss says official made error". The Canberra Times. 2021-03-22. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  3. ↑ Canales, Sarah Basford (2022-09-30). "Indonesia and Australia conclude joint maritime operation". Mirage News. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  4. 1 2 3 "New Border Force boss wants integrity". SBS News.
  5. ↑ Durkin, Patrick (15 November 2022). "'Our borders are being infiltrated': Border Force seeks more powers". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Immigration names new chiefs, staff to be 'empowered'". The Mandarin. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  7. ↑ "Movers & shakers: shake-up in the pomp and protocol crowd". The Mandarin. 7 September 2018.
  8. ↑ "Who is Roman Quaedvlieg and how did he get fired?". ABC News. 15 March 2018.
  9. ↑ Probyn, Andrew (30 July 2020). "Sick Ruby Princess passengers allowed to disembark after ABF officer misread test results". ABC News.
  10. ↑ "ABF statement refuting reporting on Ruby Princess". www.abf.gov.au.
  11. ↑ Jenkins, Shannon (31 July 2020). "ABF refutes 'unhelpful and distracting' claims an officer let sick Ruby Princess passengers disembark". The Mandarin.
  12. ↑ "Ruby Princess report vindicates Government, Peter Dutton says". ABC News. 15 August 2020.
  13. ↑ "Moscow bars 39 more Australians". The Australian. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
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