Morrison urges border crackdowns in region

Australia has challenged Asian governments to ramp up border protection efforts to combat people smuggling, transnational crime and terrorism.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has warned at a Malaysian security conference that regional borders are "only as strong as our weakest link".

"While they may specialise in narcotics, human trafficking, people smuggling or weapons - there are commonalities across their business models - getting past our borders is a skill," Mr Morrison said in the speech on Monday night to the Putrajaya Forum.

Borders represented a potential choke point for the business model of transnational crime.

Mr Morrison said as a result of advances in technology, illegal traders could now find each other easily allowing criminal networks to become multinationals.

Reliable data and systems to test integrity of identity, were fundamental to strengthening borders.

"You can not stop illegal movements by sea or air until you're prepared to stop people arriving at your borders without authority," he said.

"A strong physical deterrent on your border, whether on land or at sea, is a mandatory prerequisite for effective border protection."

Dialogue must now convert into much greater action, Mr Morrison said.