Border Technology Summit ANZ
Creating A Secure, Digital Border That Streamlines Travel, Trade, And Safeguards Against Threats
Main Conference: Tuesday, 24th February 2026
8:50 am - 9:00 am
Chair's Opening Remarks
9:00 am - 9:30 am
Beyond eGate – Borders as Strategic National Assets
Michael Outram -
Former Commissioner (2018-2024),,
Australian Border Force
• Deglobalization: Trump 2.0 and Chinese Trade Aggression
9:30 am - 10:00 am
Panel Discussion: Securing Borders in a Fragmented World
Hans Koenderink -
Assistant Commissioner Crime Command,
Australian Federal Police
Michael Outram - Former Commissioner (2018-2024),, Australian Border Force
• What does a secure supply chain mean for Australia in today’s multipolar world?
10:00 am - 10:20 am
Speed networking: Fast-track new connections in this high-energy session designed to introduce you to your industry peers
10:20 am - 10:50 am
Partner Keynote
10:50 am - 11:20 am
Morning Break & Demo Zone Open
11:20 am - 11:50 am
Customs, Cargo & Trade Tech Innovations
Commander Aaron O'Neill -
Assistant Secretary Customs & Border Modernisation,
Australian Border Force
• Digitised cargo clearance for speed and accuracy.
Commander Aaron O'Neill
Assistant Secretary Customs & Border ModernisationAustralian Border Force
11:50 am - 12:10 pm
Identity at the Edge: Biometrics for Trusted Border Operations
• Operational Certainty in Uncertain Times: How biometric identity verification supports secure, efficient border crossings amid geopolitical and technological fragmentation.
12:10 pm - 12:40 pm
Futureproof Borders: Building Secure & Seamless Traveller and Trade Systems
Matt Jones -
Assistant Secretary - Traveller, Cargo and Trade Systems,
Department of Home Affairs
• Technology vision for traveller and trade systems.
Matt Jones
Assistant Secretary - Traveller, Cargo and Trade SystemsDepartment of Home Affairs
12:40 pm - 1:10 pm
Panel Discussion: Operational Innovation at Airports & Ports – Border Technology at the Frontline
Matt Jones -
Assistant Secretary - Traveller, Cargo and Trade Systems,
Department of Home Affairs
Commander Aaron O'Neill - Assistant Secretary Customs & Border Modernisation, Australian Border Force
• Smart gates, sensors, and automation in action.
Matt Jones
Assistant Secretary - Traveller, Cargo and Trade SystemsDepartment of Home Affairs
Commander Aaron O'Neill
Assistant Secretary Customs & Border ModernisationAustralian Border Force
1:10 pm - 2:10 pm
Lunch Break, Demo Zone Open & VIP Hosted Lunches
2:10 pm - 2:40 pm
Targeting Illicit Trade: Securing Borders Against Tobacco and E-cigarette Smuggling
Amber Shuhyta -
Commissioner, Illicit Tobacco and E-cigarette,
Australian Border Force
• Understanding the Threat: How illicit tobacco and e-cigarette smuggling undermines public health, revenue, and border integrity.
2:40 pm - 3:10 pm
Securing the Pacific: Disrupting Criminal Networks Across Borders
Ernie Verina -
Regional Attache Oceania,
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
• Targeting Illicit Flows: How HSI is working with regional partners to detect and disrupt drug trafficking, human smuggling, and illicit trade across Pacific routes.
3:10 pm - 3:40 pm
Afternoon Break & Demo Zone Open
3:40 pm - 4:10 pm
Operation Sovereign Borders – Tech-Enabled Maritime Security
Rear Admiral Lee Goddard -
Former Commander Maritime Border Command & Operation Sovereign Borders,
Royal Australian Navy
Rear Admiral Lee Goddard
Former Commander Maritime Border Command & Operation Sovereign BordersRoyal Australian Navy
4:10 pm - 4:40 pm
Panel Discussion | Next-Gen Maritime Domain Awareness & Border Security
Tom Farrow -
Strategic Business Development, APAC,
Planet
• Transforming Maritime Situational Awareness: How emerging technologies, including satellites and AI, are shaping the future of maritime security.
• Integrated Intelligence: Opportunities and challenges in fusing multiple data sources for a real-time maritime picture.
• Responding to Evolving Threats: Using next-gen tech to detect illicit activities at sea and support operational decision-making.
• Automation & Analyst Enablement: Enhancing workflows and accelerating insights through AI and automation.
• Ethics & Strategic Considerations: Balancing innovation with policy, security, and trust.
4:40 pm - 4:50 pm
Closing Keynote
4:50 pm - 5:50 pm
Drinks Reception and Demo Zone Open
Unwind and connect with peers over drinks as the Demo Zone opens for an exclusive showcase of the latest innovations in border technology and security. Experience live demonstrations, meet solution providers driving smarter, faster, and more secure border operations, and toast to the ideas shaping the future of border management across Australia and New Zealand.
