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Tour de Force: The explosive journey from street cop to chief of Australian Border Force
From his first day in uniform as a policeman during the dying days of 'the Moonlight State' on the mean streets of Fortitude Valley, to undercover with bikies and gangs; working alongside colleagues solid and dubious until he reached the nation’s corridors of power, Roman Quaedvlieg has seen it all.
Focused, tough, resourceful and disciplined, he was always destined to make his the school dux’s first street arrest was Brisbane's most wanted escapee.
From policing to customs services, Roman Quaedvlieg rose through the ranks to become top cop in Canberra, run covert operations at the Australian Crime Commission, then was appointed the first head of Australian Border Force. His has been a life of action—from major drug busts to turning back boats on international waters. This is a personal and political story that exposes a deeply conflicted national security system and doesn't shy away from his notorious sacking.
Tour de Force is detailed and explosive. A memoir, revealing a lifelong quest for justice coming up against cronyism, unbridled ambition, politics and corruption.
Focused, tough, resourceful and disciplined, he was always destined to make his the school dux’s first street arrest was Brisbane's most wanted escapee.
From policing to customs services, Roman Quaedvlieg rose through the ranks to become top cop in Canberra, run covert operations at the Australian Crime Commission, then was appointed the first head of Australian Border Force. His has been a life of action—from major drug busts to turning back boats on international waters. This is a personal and political story that exposes a deeply conflicted national security system and doesn't shy away from his notorious sacking.
Tour de Force is detailed and explosive. A memoir, revealing a lifelong quest for justice coming up against cronyism, unbridled ambition, politics and corruption.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 23, 2020
When former Australian Border Force Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg was sacked on 15 March 2018 for alleged corruption, the surprise wasn't because the public didn't think he was corrupt, but because it was so rare that a senior government official was actually held to account for apparently doing what everyone suspected happened in the upper echelons of the public service; "jobs for mates" and "special favours".
While only one chapter in Quaedvlieg's recently released memoir, Tour de Force, covers his notorious sacking, the book provides operational insight into some of the government's most controversial policies, including boat turn backs, asylum seeker resettlement, and citizenship cancellation. It also offers a carefully catalogued insight into the personalities and relationships of senior bureaucrats and ministers. By the time the "Sacked" chapter is reached, there's an uncomfortable feeling that the punishment didn't really fit the alleged crime, and like a bunch of other infamous incidents involving the Abbott/Turnbull/Morrison governments, the truth has been distorted behind government rhetoric and sensationalist media headlines.
Tour de Force is a chronological account of Quaedvlieg's career, beginning with his enthusiastic first day as a constable in the Queensland Police Service in the time of Joh Bjelke-Peterson and a year before the Fitzgerald Inquiry. The first few chapters are entertaining with a mix of amusing stories and observations of uniformed policework, undercover operations and drug stings.The anecdotes offer an insight into classic police culture and lay the groundwork for his later career. Quaedvlieg is unashamedly self-assured and confident, but there's enough witty self-deprecation to balance it out.
As the narrative moves through policing law enforcement into customs and border protection operations and politics, readers will recognize a bunch of names of crooks, public figures, and politicians. Quaedvlieg covers the arrests of escapees George Lynde and Brenden Abbott, the departure of Khaleed Sharrouf from Australia, and an interesting interaction with convicted former Queensland Police Commissioner Terry Lewis. Personal descriptions are generally considered, couched in objectivity or at least tactful. There's a strong feeling Quaedvlieg is keen to avoid any hint of defamation while also accurately describing his professional relationships.
Throughout the book Quaedvlieg gives equal attention to his professional achievements as to his challenges. He confronts head on the various public accusations of impropriety which have plagued him since he re-emerged from self-imposed isolation during the protracted investigation, and established himself as a connoisseur of verbosity and grandiloquence on Twitter. This includes an earlier referral to ACLEI from his time at the Australian Crime Commission, and the now infamous Operation Fortitude. The narrative balances factual accounts with personal reflection and humour, which makes it an easy read, despite the complex subject matter.
Quaedvlieg is clear about his responsibilities and accountabilities at a professional level, and differentiates between his personal opinion and the implied and professional expectations of his various roles. His pragmatic, non-partisan approach to implementing government policy is evident, particularly with his involvement in Operation Sovereign Borders. Contrary to the persistent personal criticism on social media, Quaedvlieg hasn't lost his sense of humanity despite a career in law enforcement; although the book does give activists plenty of material to challenge him on if they're so inclined.
Tour de Force is insightful, revealing, and engrossing, and exposes the inner workings of major government agencies and political relationships with respect to key agency reforms and policy. This includes a swathe of information and analysis which a few senior public servants and ministers probably wished had stayed out of the public domain. Quaedvlieg has named a lot of names and recounted many conversations. While some chapters are challenging to read, Quaedvlieg strips away the government rhetoric and exposes previously unreported detail about "on water matters" and national security policy. Noteworthy incidents of "jobs for mates" and "special favours" add to the argument for a federal integrity commission. It also highlights the hypocrisy of key figures involved in Quaedvlieg's referral and investigation for alleged corruption.
While it's clear Quaedvlieg never sought to be part of the "boys' club" even in his early days as a beat constable, by the final chapter of Tour de Force, there's a real sense of disappointment and intrigue over his excoriating downfall. The reasons provided by the government for his sacking are remarkably underwhelming. In the context of what is evidently "the way Canberra works", it's difficult not to draw the conclusion Quaedvlieg's investigation for corruption was opportunistic and likely for an internal rival's personal or professional benefit. There's also a strong implication that Quaedvlieg was subject to a brutal character assassination orchestrated by someone within his former circle of confidantes for the sole purpose of making his reinstatement to ABF Commissioner untenable.
Key themes flow through, particularly Quaedvlieg's propensity to stand by his principles, even to his detriment, and his pragmatism at balancing professional expectations and personal discomfort. Tour de Force reveals Quaedvlieg as an attentive, witty, intelligent, and dedicated professional shaped by his operational experience, with a genuine passion for public service.
Regardless of political persuasions or personal opinion on the man himself, Tour De Force is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. It's an autobiography which covers three decades of extraordinary political and social times in the context of ideologically driven governments from an otherwise undocumented perspective.
While only one chapter in Quaedvlieg's recently released memoir, Tour de Force, covers his notorious sacking, the book provides operational insight into some of the government's most controversial policies, including boat turn backs, asylum seeker resettlement, and citizenship cancellation. It also offers a carefully catalogued insight into the personalities and relationships of senior bureaucrats and ministers. By the time the "Sacked" chapter is reached, there's an uncomfortable feeling that the punishment didn't really fit the alleged crime, and like a bunch of other infamous incidents involving the Abbott/Turnbull/Morrison governments, the truth has been distorted behind government rhetoric and sensationalist media headlines.
Tour de Force is a chronological account of Quaedvlieg's career, beginning with his enthusiastic first day as a constable in the Queensland Police Service in the time of Joh Bjelke-Peterson and a year before the Fitzgerald Inquiry. The first few chapters are entertaining with a mix of amusing stories and observations of uniformed policework, undercover operations and drug stings.The anecdotes offer an insight into classic police culture and lay the groundwork for his later career. Quaedvlieg is unashamedly self-assured and confident, but there's enough witty self-deprecation to balance it out.
As the narrative moves through policing law enforcement into customs and border protection operations and politics, readers will recognize a bunch of names of crooks, public figures, and politicians. Quaedvlieg covers the arrests of escapees George Lynde and Brenden Abbott, the departure of Khaleed Sharrouf from Australia, and an interesting interaction with convicted former Queensland Police Commissioner Terry Lewis. Personal descriptions are generally considered, couched in objectivity or at least tactful. There's a strong feeling Quaedvlieg is keen to avoid any hint of defamation while also accurately describing his professional relationships.
Throughout the book Quaedvlieg gives equal attention to his professional achievements as to his challenges. He confronts head on the various public accusations of impropriety which have plagued him since he re-emerged from self-imposed isolation during the protracted investigation, and established himself as a connoisseur of verbosity and grandiloquence on Twitter. This includes an earlier referral to ACLEI from his time at the Australian Crime Commission, and the now infamous Operation Fortitude. The narrative balances factual accounts with personal reflection and humour, which makes it an easy read, despite the complex subject matter.
Quaedvlieg is clear about his responsibilities and accountabilities at a professional level, and differentiates between his personal opinion and the implied and professional expectations of his various roles. His pragmatic, non-partisan approach to implementing government policy is evident, particularly with his involvement in Operation Sovereign Borders. Contrary to the persistent personal criticism on social media, Quaedvlieg hasn't lost his sense of humanity despite a career in law enforcement; although the book does give activists plenty of material to challenge him on if they're so inclined.
Tour de Force is insightful, revealing, and engrossing, and exposes the inner workings of major government agencies and political relationships with respect to key agency reforms and policy. This includes a swathe of information and analysis which a few senior public servants and ministers probably wished had stayed out of the public domain. Quaedvlieg has named a lot of names and recounted many conversations. While some chapters are challenging to read, Quaedvlieg strips away the government rhetoric and exposes previously unreported detail about "on water matters" and national security policy. Noteworthy incidents of "jobs for mates" and "special favours" add to the argument for a federal integrity commission. It also highlights the hypocrisy of key figures involved in Quaedvlieg's referral and investigation for alleged corruption.
While it's clear Quaedvlieg never sought to be part of the "boys' club" even in his early days as a beat constable, by the final chapter of Tour de Force, there's a real sense of disappointment and intrigue over his excoriating downfall. The reasons provided by the government for his sacking are remarkably underwhelming. In the context of what is evidently "the way Canberra works", it's difficult not to draw the conclusion Quaedvlieg's investigation for corruption was opportunistic and likely for an internal rival's personal or professional benefit. There's also a strong implication that Quaedvlieg was subject to a brutal character assassination orchestrated by someone within his former circle of confidantes for the sole purpose of making his reinstatement to ABF Commissioner untenable.
Key themes flow through, particularly Quaedvlieg's propensity to stand by his principles, even to his detriment, and his pragmatism at balancing professional expectations and personal discomfort. Tour de Force reveals Quaedvlieg as an attentive, witty, intelligent, and dedicated professional shaped by his operational experience, with a genuine passion for public service.
Regardless of political persuasions or personal opinion on the man himself, Tour De Force is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. It's an autobiography which covers three decades of extraordinary political and social times in the context of ideologically driven governments from an otherwise undocumented perspective.
June 1, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this biography. Very well written - an insight into the life of a police Officer and public servant. My best wishes to Roman Quaedvlieg!
May 16, 2020
Having known the full story behind the career and life of the author Roman Quaedvlieg, the book seems to present only a short, selected aspect of his story.
While it may be true that the author would have participated in many police operations involving crime prevention, the story of his career can never be complete without references to the circumstances under which he was unceremoniously sacked from the law enforcement services, disgraced for abuse of power, job fixing and unethical personal relationships that nearly accounted to youth abuse.
Australian people, including former colleagues of Quaedvlieg may have a different story to tell: in the police service, he was seen as a megalomaniac of Eastern European (Romanian) origin, who always sought personal glory rather than being a team player. He rose through the ranks through that approach, and assisted by 'champions' who helped him through tribal loyalties. All that came to an end when he abused his power way beyond limits, and tried to become a dictator. The process came to an end with him becoming a 'Roman without the togo'.
Having exhausted all legal avenues to reverse those processes for him and his young partner (half his age), the book seems merely a ploy to profit from notoriety.
Not many Australians are likely to fall for this trick.
Good riddance to Roman and Sarah!
While it may be true that the author would have participated in many police operations involving crime prevention, the story of his career can never be complete without references to the circumstances under which he was unceremoniously sacked from the law enforcement services, disgraced for abuse of power, job fixing and unethical personal relationships that nearly accounted to youth abuse.
Australian people, including former colleagues of Quaedvlieg may have a different story to tell: in the police service, he was seen as a megalomaniac of Eastern European (Romanian) origin, who always sought personal glory rather than being a team player. He rose through the ranks through that approach, and assisted by 'champions' who helped him through tribal loyalties. All that came to an end when he abused his power way beyond limits, and tried to become a dictator. The process came to an end with him becoming a 'Roman without the togo'.
Having exhausted all legal avenues to reverse those processes for him and his young partner (half his age), the book seems merely a ploy to profit from notoriety.
Not many Australians are likely to fall for this trick.
Good riddance to Roman and Sarah!
June 1, 2020
Thoroughly enjoying this biography. Very well written - an insight into the life of a police Officer and public servant. My best wishes to Roman Quaedvlieg! As an ex-colleague of Mr Quaedvlieg, it's great to see him publish his first book! I'm a big fan.
June 30, 2020
This book grabbed my attention from the first sentence and as I read the first page I was debating whether just to shut everything off for the rest of the day and finish it or to make it last. There is no second book. If it were going to be this good my choice was to discipline myself and savour it. The linguistic prowess made it a pleasure to read. Not one word was wasted. Not one sentence was superfluous and nothing was irrelevant or glib. Every single word meant something in 2020 Australia. It is hard to review this without giving it away . You need to read this for yourself. For me it was like sitting with Mr. Quaedvlieg every evening and having a good talk with him about everything which has been happening in Australia since 2013. He establishes his credentials and experience in the first part of the book so he is worth listening to. He treats the reader ,who becomes the listener , as an intelligent human being who can engage with him. It was like that. I had slowed my reading down and was listening every night and my mind , emotions and experience were coming back with comments and reactions. I appreciate Mr. Quaedvlieg spent time trying to explain to me about the intricacies of police , security and political decisions. It filled in gaps which had been overlooked because of limited media coverage, sound bites and social media constrictions. As a country we have had to deal with some deeply concerning border and security issues. It was good to have an experienced professional view of this from someone who had been involved . More than that, Mr. Quaedvlieg understands there is no simple way of organising or thinking about complex issues. There has to be a comprehensive look from all angles and all aspects. There is not a tweet or a headline which is the answer. From that point of view the book offers insight and a deeper, holistic appraisal of things we have done as a country and things which are still confronting us. All of this is absorbing and engrossing if you have taken an interest in our politics.
There is then the personal matter of such a competent , dedicated person being sacked under extraordinary circumstances with no real natural justice. I remember the unconscionable personal attack made under parliamentary privilege. I tweeted (@sally07) on the day that this should not occur in our parliament without Mr. Quaedvlieg being there to be able to defend himself. There was no natural justice for him in an independent setting . I am pleased his book offers his side of the story because until the day he is entitled to a fair judgement and assessment of his situation then he has a right of reply to what happened to him. As someone who has worked in a professional setting in public education for 45 years, that has always been our way in Australia.
It was that professional part of me which reacted very strongly to the chapter Fortitude. I have seen that happen either to remove competition or make them so strong they could go higher up the ladder. It was, however, how I have seen some women manage situations. It wasn't something I have seen from men. That was interesting. Looking at a different profession was enlightening. That is the subtext of this book. How professionals manage their environment, demands and staff.
I wish there were another book. Mr. Quaedvlieg has made me realise we have a need for books where people sit and talk with us and explain the intricacies of any situation so it counterbalances the superficial media approach we are offered each day. We have forgotten how to have a good talk and that is what this book was. Well worth the wait and the time reading it and now sadly missed.
There is then the personal matter of such a competent , dedicated person being sacked under extraordinary circumstances with no real natural justice. I remember the unconscionable personal attack made under parliamentary privilege. I tweeted (@sally07) on the day that this should not occur in our parliament without Mr. Quaedvlieg being there to be able to defend himself. There was no natural justice for him in an independent setting . I am pleased his book offers his side of the story because until the day he is entitled to a fair judgement and assessment of his situation then he has a right of reply to what happened to him. As someone who has worked in a professional setting in public education for 45 years, that has always been our way in Australia.
It was that professional part of me which reacted very strongly to the chapter Fortitude. I have seen that happen either to remove competition or make them so strong they could go higher up the ladder. It was, however, how I have seen some women manage situations. It wasn't something I have seen from men. That was interesting. Looking at a different profession was enlightening. That is the subtext of this book. How professionals manage their environment, demands and staff.
I wish there were another book. Mr. Quaedvlieg has made me realise we have a need for books where people sit and talk with us and explain the intricacies of any situation so it counterbalances the superficial media approach we are offered each day. We have forgotten how to have a good talk and that is what this book was. Well worth the wait and the time reading it and now sadly missed.
June 13, 2020
‘After thirty-two years in law enforcement, I was on the run from reporters.’
Roman Quaedvlieg was the Chief Police Officer of ACT Policing between 2010 and 2013. In 2013 he joined the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) as deputy chief executive officer. In October 2014 he succeeded Mike Pezzullo as chief executive officer. When the Australian Border Force (ABF) came into existence in 2015, Quaedvlieg became the inaugural Commissioner of the Australian Border Force and the Comptroller-General of Customs.
On 29 May 2017 Roman Quaedvlieg was on leave pending an active investigation conducted by the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity into his alleged abuse of power. The investigation examined his assistance in obtaining employment at Sydney Airport for a person he was in a relationship with and concealing that relationship. Quaedvlieg declined to resign, stating that to do so would be ‘tantamount to a concession of culpability’.
In March 2018 the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Australian cabinet, terminated Quaedvlieg's appointment as commissioner.
I knew this before I read Mr Quaedvlieg’s biography, but I was curious to read his account despite the subtitle:
‘The explosive journey from street cop to chief of the Australian Border Force.’
Anything labelled as ‘explosive’ is generally, in my view, not worth reading.
But I live in the ACT and worked in the Australian Public Service for over 30 years until 2009. I was curious about the merger between Customs and Immigration and interested in reading how a well-regarded and decorated policeman came to be terminated from his employment.
After a brief prologue, the book is divided into three parts. The first part deals with Mr Quaedvlieg’s career as a police officer; the second part deals with Mr Quaedvlieg’s time at Customs and the third part deals with the balance of his public sector career.
My main interest was in the formation of the Australian Border Force and then in the circumstances surrounding Mr Quaedvlieg’s sacking. I finished the book with some concerns about the management of both.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Roman Quaedvlieg was the Chief Police Officer of ACT Policing between 2010 and 2013. In 2013 he joined the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) as deputy chief executive officer. In October 2014 he succeeded Mike Pezzullo as chief executive officer. When the Australian Border Force (ABF) came into existence in 2015, Quaedvlieg became the inaugural Commissioner of the Australian Border Force and the Comptroller-General of Customs.
On 29 May 2017 Roman Quaedvlieg was on leave pending an active investigation conducted by the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity into his alleged abuse of power. The investigation examined his assistance in obtaining employment at Sydney Airport for a person he was in a relationship with and concealing that relationship. Quaedvlieg declined to resign, stating that to do so would be ‘tantamount to a concession of culpability’.
In March 2018 the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Australian cabinet, terminated Quaedvlieg's appointment as commissioner.
I knew this before I read Mr Quaedvlieg’s biography, but I was curious to read his account despite the subtitle:
‘The explosive journey from street cop to chief of the Australian Border Force.’
Anything labelled as ‘explosive’ is generally, in my view, not worth reading.
But I live in the ACT and worked in the Australian Public Service for over 30 years until 2009. I was curious about the merger between Customs and Immigration and interested in reading how a well-regarded and decorated policeman came to be terminated from his employment.
After a brief prologue, the book is divided into three parts. The first part deals with Mr Quaedvlieg’s career as a police officer; the second part deals with Mr Quaedvlieg’s time at Customs and the third part deals with the balance of his public sector career.
My main interest was in the formation of the Australian Border Force and then in the circumstances surrounding Mr Quaedvlieg’s sacking. I finished the book with some concerns about the management of both.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
July 2, 2020
Best street cop ever. Best undercover cop ever. Best boss ever. Best head of various organisations, ever. You get the picture. But reviewing his untimely exit from the final organisation (Border Force), I felt some sympathy for him.
However, he speaks of his discomfort over 'jobs for the boys' and says he felt on occasion he was somewhat compromised by approaches from various people on behalf of their friends or relatives, but reading his rapid rise through the ranks and movement between organisations read very much like he was one of those 'boys' and was getting cherry picked without any consideration for due process or merit. Pot and black anyone?
His personal relationships were hardly mentioned during the book and his final relationship with 'Sarah', a junior in the organisation he led, was only discussed insofar as how unfair it was that she was targeted and used to get rid of him out of his dream job. I'm not sure how the relationship came about, but the indications (media) are that she is approximately half his age. This is not an equal relationship where one is the head of an organisation and the other, pretty much the lowest level.
Nevertheless, I read a ribbon of truth through his book in relation to his final denouement. I've seen up close unfairness in bureaucracy and demotions, terminations and transfers occur to people who have done little, if anything, to deserve those negative outcomes - so, benefit of a doubt for Mr. Quaedvlieg. An interesting, if dry book about his career and the workings of Australian organisations at high levels.
However, he speaks of his discomfort over 'jobs for the boys' and says he felt on occasion he was somewhat compromised by approaches from various people on behalf of their friends or relatives, but reading his rapid rise through the ranks and movement between organisations read very much like he was one of those 'boys' and was getting cherry picked without any consideration for due process or merit. Pot and black anyone?
His personal relationships were hardly mentioned during the book and his final relationship with 'Sarah', a junior in the organisation he led, was only discussed insofar as how unfair it was that she was targeted and used to get rid of him out of his dream job. I'm not sure how the relationship came about, but the indications (media) are that she is approximately half his age. This is not an equal relationship where one is the head of an organisation and the other, pretty much the lowest level.
Nevertheless, I read a ribbon of truth through his book in relation to his final denouement. I've seen up close unfairness in bureaucracy and demotions, terminations and transfers occur to people who have done little, if anything, to deserve those negative outcomes - so, benefit of a doubt for Mr. Quaedvlieg. An interesting, if dry book about his career and the workings of Australian organisations at high levels.
December 5, 2020
This book held my interest from start to finish. I've followed Quaedvlieg's story with interest since his sacking from ABF.
The book starts with his entry into policing - on the beat in Fortitude Valley during the Fitzgerald era. It cracks along at a decent pace from the very first page and is intelligently written by a man who is exceptionally driven and who had an extremely interesting and rewarding career, until he was kicked off the pedestal.
It was interesting to read his take on our political leaders; so much obviously left unsaid, but there's enough detail to read between the lines. Quaedvlieg would be a very interesting guest to have at a dinner party.
If you are interested in law enforcement, public policy, border and national security issues and the players in higher levels of government, you will probably enjoy this book.
The book starts with his entry into policing - on the beat in Fortitude Valley during the Fitzgerald era. It cracks along at a decent pace from the very first page and is intelligently written by a man who is exceptionally driven and who had an extremely interesting and rewarding career, until he was kicked off the pedestal.
It was interesting to read his take on our political leaders; so much obviously left unsaid, but there's enough detail to read between the lines. Quaedvlieg would be a very interesting guest to have at a dinner party.
If you are interested in law enforcement, public policy, border and national security issues and the players in higher levels of government, you will probably enjoy this book.
June 1, 2020
What a read!! Loved it from the first word to the last.
Interesting inside story of crime, the Police and up through the public service ranks when Roman held one of the most senior roles in Australia and was responsible for securing our national borders.
It also told of the inside of the Canberra political corridors and his ultimate demise at the hands of Peter Dutton.
It reads of honesty and determination. The guy was a great public servant who appears to have judged more on his personal decisions than his work ethics and results which never seem to have been in question
An explosive and worthwhile read of the antics in Canberra that few of us are ever privy to.
Recommended.
Interesting inside story of crime, the Police and up through the public service ranks when Roman held one of the most senior roles in Australia and was responsible for securing our national borders.
It also told of the inside of the Canberra political corridors and his ultimate demise at the hands of Peter Dutton.
It reads of honesty and determination. The guy was a great public servant who appears to have judged more on his personal decisions than his work ethics and results which never seem to have been in question
An explosive and worthwhile read of the antics in Canberra that few of us are ever privy to.
Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews