As a result of the Australian Government tightening eligibility requirements for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card Scheme, AustCham offices and business councils prepared a submission to the Government voicing their concerns.

The Secretary for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Mr Andrew Metcalf, last week admitted to failings in his Department's management of changes to the scheme.

Mr Metcalfe's admission during a Senate Budget Estimates hearing related to the Department's unilateral changes to the criteria entitling Australian business people to apply for visas under the scheme.

He conceded in response to a question by Queensland Senator Russell Trood: "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."

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