Source: Radio National News: An Australian parliamentary inquiry will examine whether border protection in the Torres Strait is adequate.

The Senate committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will look at a wide range of issues including immigration and customs, trade, and public health.

Chairman, Senator Russell Trood, says the Strait, in Australia's north, is the country's front line - and he expects a large number of recommendations to result from the inquiry.

"There has been a recent outbreak of cholera and swine flu in Papua New Guinea; there is an issue with regards to HIV AIDS. So just in relation to public health for example, the possibility that some of those infectious diseases might come through those islands and then be transmitted into Australia is a matter than could be of concern," he said.