Federal Cabinet divided over how much power and resources Australian Border Force should have

The federal Cabinet is divided over how much power and amount of resources the new national security agency, the Australian Border Force (ABF), should have.

The ABC has learnt there is a push from some senior ministers to have biosecurity operations rolled into the ABF, but others in Cabinet are fighting to keep it separate.

The new national security agency will combine the frontline operations of Customs, Border Protection and Immigration personnel.

It is designed to be a permanent replacement for Operation Sovereign Borders, which has been crucial to the Federal Government delivering on its promise to stop asylum seeker boats from reaching Australia.

The ABC understands several senior Cabinet ministers want the Australian Border Force to include biosecurity operations, which are currently under the control of the Department of Agriculture.

They believe the move would streamline operations and save money, by having Customs and biosecurity officials, who often work side by side, in the same agency.

But National Farmers' Federation (NFF) CEO Matt Linnegar said it was "a dumb idea".

"Whoever thought of it should take the piece of paper, screw it up and throw it in the bin," he said.

He said such a move could weaken Australia's quarantine operations and put Australia's agricultural sector at risk.

"Our clean, green image, our reputation for producing quality food and fibre around the world absolutely relies on our biosecurity status.

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Federal Cabinet divided over how much power and resources Australian Border Force should have