MELBOURNE: A major operation to spot check people’s visas on the streets of Melbourne as part of a crime crackdown was cancelled on Friday after sparking community outrage that Australia risked becoming “a police state”.

The controversy erupted after the Australian Border Force (ABF) released a statement on Friday saying its officers would join police and transport officials at various locations this weekend to speak “with any individual we cross paths with” to identify visa fraudsters.

“You need to be aware of the conditions of your visa; if you commit visa fraud you should know it’s only a matter of time before you’re caught out”, said ABF Regional Commander for Victoria and Tasmania, Don Smith.

The ABF, part of the Immigration Department, said the focus would be on people travelling to, from and around the city “targeting everything from anti-social behaviour to outstanding warrants”.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2015

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