CUSTOMS CATASTROPHE

Throsby MP Colin Hollis has every right to say ``I told you so'' over
the lack of Customs surveillance at Port Kembla.

Customs Minister Senator Amanda Vanstone has confirmed what Mr Hollis
and others, including this newspaper have been saying for years - Port
Kembla is wide open to drugs and contraband.

Sen Vanstone has confirmed in response to questions from Mr Hollis
that a surveillance camera installed at Port Kembla in February 1997
was removed just four months later because it was reported as
``unserviceable''.

The Minister told Mr Hollis that Customs planned to install a
permanent camera at Port Kembla by September this year enabling
24-hour surveillance of the port.

Her response begs the question: ``What surveillance has there been at
the port since the camera was removed in June, 1997?''

We know there are now only five Customs personnel at Port Kembla. How
can we expect such a small number to stop the import of drugs and
other contraband despite the obvious dedication to their job with
limited resources?

With no surveillance camera, a lack of manpower and other resources,
the Port Kembla Customs officers are fighting a war with one hand
behind their backs. As Mr Hollis points out - they deserve better and
so does the Illawarra community.