The Abbott government’s Australian Border Force has announced a Melbourne-based toymaker Wompro will create 2,000 Border Force branded plush dogs.
Government tender documents show the Department of Immigration and Border Protection is paying Wompro $14,877 to produce the plush toys. The toys will be primarily used as “corporate gifts” for international dignitaries and visitors, as well as gifts to detector dog foster care volunteers.
Wompro is one of the world’s largest plush toy suppliers, on its website Wompro International Pty Ltd says its products “transcend age, gender and geographical barriers”.
A spokesperson for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection said in a statement: “It is standard practice for Australian government agencies to have stock of corporate gifts available for customary purposes to assist with stakeholder relationships.”
