The revelations add a new dimension to the immigration and border protection debate, which is a hot political topic in the final week of the federal election campaign. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull takes a question on the allegations facing the Australian Border Force. Credit:Andrew Meares Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Monday that "allegations of criminality, regardless of where they occur but particularly if they occur in government agencies, are taken with the utmost seriousness and will be pursued relentlessly until any offenders are identified a brought to justice". But Labor demanded "nothing less than a full accounting" of any rorts and criminality. "It is appalling and astounding and many Australians will be up in arms as they learn the news that it is possible for criminal gangs, for organised crime overseas, to manipulate and bypass almost casually the integrity of our visa system," Mr Shorten said.

"The fact that Australian visas are for sale for cash, for sexual favours, for corruption in other countries, undermines the very heart of our immigration system." A former Immigration Department investigations head has alleged "fear mongering" on asylum seekers has been used to distract from problems facing the system. Joseph Petyanszki, who jointly headed the department's investigation office between 2007 and 2013, also claimed there are some signs corruption is apparent in every level of the visa supply chain. Mr Shorten noted further allegations are due to be made on Monday night's 7.30 program and accused Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and his predecessor, Treasurer Scott Morrison, of incompetence and an "addiction to secrecy". Labor immigration spokesman Richard Marles said the government needed to account for its failure to "properly fund the agency charged with law enforcement oversight - the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity". The Fairfax Media-ABC 7.30 investigation has found the agency is being badly outgunned by organised criminals.