Posted on May 24, 2011
Last night, in Senate Budget Estimates hearings, the Secretary for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Mr Andrew Metcalf, confessed to failings in his Department’s management of changes to the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme.
The Secretary’s admission related to the Department’s unilateral changes to the criteria for the entitlement of Australian business people to apply for visas under the Scheme.
In particular, the Secretary conceded “that was a failure by the Department to engage appropriately, and since you’ve highlighted this issue at the last round of Estimates we’ve sought to engage more effectively with peak bodies associated with this issue. I have conceded, I again accept, the Department’s actions of that time were not of what I would regard in keeping with our commitment to proper stakeholder engagement.”
The information was provided in answer to questions by Queensland Liberal/ LNP Senator, Russell Trood.
“The Department’s failure to consult about the changes caused widespread alarm and concern within the Australian business community and reflected a high handed and arrogant approach to public policy on an issue which is crucial to Australia’s business success in the Asia-Pacific”, said Senator Trood.
Senator Trood expressed his appreciation for the Secretary’s candid admission of the Department’s failure.
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