Why am I searched every time I go to Australia?

The author does not state how he knows he is on the MAL. It’s an important part of the story. If he doesn’t actually know, it’s more than possible it is random.

Re: Why am I searched every time I go to Australia?

#5

Post by rolph » Fri, Apr 25, 2025, 7:04 PM UTC

i read the article, and i really think the combination of stated specialties, with dual-citizenship, sides up to a profile of concern.

-- thats not to say there should be concern. there are stereptypical profiles that ask the question, what is this person capable of doing? rather than, what does this person intend to do?

and thats the problem, its difficult to titrate intent, but capability is easy to asess

Re: Why am I searched every time I go to Australia?

#6

Post by eesmith » Fri, Apr 25, 2025, 7:04 PM UTC

xvokcarts wrote: post #3

Because you're a dual citizen.

That alone cannot be it:

"According to the ABF website, the MAL is for non-citizens. According to a 2013 audit, there were only 172 Australian citizens on the list at that time. What accords me this rare honour, I do not know."

There are far more than 172 Australian dual nationals.

Re: Why am I searched every time I go to Australia?

#7

Post by eesmith » Fri, Apr 25, 2025, 7:10 PM UTC

trollied wrote: post #4

The author does not state how he knows he is on the MAL. It’s an important part of the story. If he doesn’t actually know, it’s more than possible it is random.

"I engaged Marque Lawyers to formalize the documentation trail and establish a formal record of governmental non-responsiveness. ... FOIA process ... What did we discover in the documents that were finally released? I am on the Movement Alert List and according to this documentation, none of the searches discovered anything of interest to the ABF."

Re: Why am I searched every time I go to Australia?

#8

Post by reverendsteveii » Fri, Apr 25, 2025, 7:29 PM UTC

rolph wrote: post #5

i read the article, and i really think the combination of stated specialties, with dual-citizenship, sides up to a profile of concern. -- thats not to say there should be concern. there are stereptypical profiles that ask the question, what is this person capable of doing? rather than, what does this person intend to do? and thats the problem, its difficult to titrate intent, but capability is easy to asess

but if it's based on capability solely than each of us can be reasonably suspected of prostitution, to provide an illustrative if somewhat crude example

Re: Why am I searched every time I go to Australia?

#9

Post by reverendsteveii » Fri, Apr 25, 2025, 7:30 PM UTC

If nothing else, this article has further cemented in my mind the idea that you should never cross a border with a phone or laptop that you give a shit about. Ship your devices ahead of you, or stash digital copies of any important data somewhere you can get to with a clean device you bought at the destination.

Re: Why am I searched every time I go to Australia?

#10

Post by fuzzfactor » Fri, Apr 25, 2025, 7:32 PM UTC

This really sucks.

It's like some of the most noble officials of previous generations who staunchly fought WWII to reverse the spread of authoritarianism, have now been replaced by a current crop who is trending in the opposite direction that their ancestors fought & died for.