The Abbott government's paramilitary-style Australian Border Force has established a fearsome reputation but it's not all boots and batons – it has a soft and cuddly side too.
Government tender documents show the Department of Immigration and Border Protection is paying Melbourne-based toymaker Wompro to produce 2000 Border Force-branded plush dogs.
The department is spending $14,877 on the toys – about $7.50 per puppy – which will primarily be used as "corporate gifts" for international dignitaries and visitors.
A spokesperson for the department said the toys would replace the depleted stock of Customs-branded plush dogs.
"It is standard practice for Australian government agencies to have stock of corporate gifts available for customary purposes to assist with stakeholder relationships," the spokesperson said in a statement.
The dogs will also be given to detector dog foster carer volunteers. Foster carer families host labrador puppies until they're 15 months old, when they're returned to the department for training.
"People in the program dedicate countless hours in assisting to raise purpose-bred puppies for the Australian Border Force with the objective of preparing them for the rigorous and highly successful Detector Dog Program," the spokesperson said.
Tender documents show the ABF is also spending $12,700 on new branded notebooks.
The ABF shot to national prominence 10 days ago when it spoiled a police operation in Melbourne.
Operation Fortitude had to be cancelled after a public backlash to an ABF statement that suggested its officers would be stopping people on the streets for random visa checks.
ABF commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg said it was a "clumsily worded" press release that mischaracterised the agency's role in the operation but the episode tarnished the agency's reputation.
Critics lampooned the agency on social media and labelled it Border Farce. As a result of the controversy, the government is now facing calls to more clearly define the agency's purpose and powers.
Labor's wastewatch spokesman Pat Conroy said the government had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars rebranding after the name change.
"People are sick and tired of this appalling waste," he said. "They want the public servants and their political masters to get on and do their jobs, not spend tens of thousands of dollars on toy puppies."
On its website, Wompro says customers "enjoy an outstanding return on investment for your brand" with its plush toys.
Wompro is one of the world's largest plush suppliers and has produced toys for everyone from Disney to Ford.
