The author recounts an encounter with an Australian Border Force (ABF) officer upon returning home where he was required to fill out an emergency contact card, despite not seeing the need for it as a healthy, young Australian citizen. The ABF insists that the incoming passenger card is necessary for all passengers, including Australian citizens, to complete, as it collects information on behalf of various government agencies covering immigration, customs, biosecurity, and human health. However, the author questions the necessity of such intrusive questioning, especially for Australian citizens, and highlights the outdated nature of paper arrivals cards, especially in comparison to other developed nations.
The author discusses the requirement for Australian citizens to complete incoming passenger cards upon arrival back in the country and questions the need for such information to be collected. Despite the abolishment of outgoing passenger cards, the author notes that these arrival cards are still mandatory and must be filled out in English, which may pose difficulties for non-English speaking tourists. The introduction of a Digital Passenger Declaration app was short-lived and ultimately unsuccessful, with the new Albanese government deciding to abolish it in favor of further improvements. The necessity of questioning Australian citizens upon their return home is a point of contention, with the author suggesting that streamlining the process would enhance the overall travel experience for passengers.
The author highlights the fact that Australia is one of the few developed nations still using paper arrivals cards in 2024, which may seem outdated and unnecessary in the digital age. The ill-fated Digital Passenger Declaration app was introduced in 2021 but failed to gain traction and was ultimately discontinued, leaving passengers to fill out paper forms upon arrival. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil acknowledged the need for further improvement on the digital platform to make it more user-friendly before it could potentially replace the paper-based system. The struggles of navigating the small spaces on the paper forms and the requirement to fill them out in English can be challenging for travelers, further emphasizing the need for a more user-friendly solution.
The author reflects on the inconvenience of having to fill out paper arrival cards upon returning to Australia and questions the necessity of such a process, especially for Australian citizens. Despite being told by the ABF officer that it is required for all passengers, the author expresses frustration at having to provide unnecessary information, such as details of their overseas adventure. The insistence on filling out emergency contact information even for healthy, young citizens raises concerns about government overreach and the need for more efficient and streamlined processes. The struggles faced by travelers in obtaining pens to fill out the forms further highlight the outdated nature of the current system.
In conclusion, the author calls for a reevaluation of the questioning and information collection process for Australian citizens returning home, emphasizing the need for a more efficient and streamlined approach. The outdated practice of filling out paper arrival cards in 2024 is contrasted with the failed attempt to introduce a Digital Passenger Declaration app, highlighting the need for a more user-friendly digital solution. While the ABF insists on the necessity of collecting such information on behalf of various government agencies, the author questions the relevance and intrusiveness of such practices, especially for Australian citizens. Ultimately, there is a call for improvement and modernization in the travel experience for passengers returning to Australia.
