DIMA Annual Report 1996-97
Secretary's Review - introduction
The year under review was significant for the Portfolio. It was the first full year of operation under the Howard Ministry and under the first Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Philip Ruddock MP.
It saw implementation of a series of policy changes arising out of Meeting our Commitments and other measures announced by the Coalition Government. There was a shift in the balance of the Migration Program from the Family stream to the Skills stream. A major evaluation was undertaken of the review of decision-making and judicial review.
Scrutiny was increased on applications for migration and temporary entry. Initiatives, over four years, were put in place for providing an additional $17 million for English language training and an additional $20 million for community and non-government organisation involvement in settlement services and service delivery. Multicultural Affairs was integrated into the Portfolio. Finally, the Government's policy of increasing the level of cost recovery was implemented.
The need to effect major change, in the context of a tightening resource base and growing workloads, placed considerable pressure on the Portfolio during the course of the year.
This was reflected in the Department's staffing levels being reduced by about 10 per cent to 2 684. Such efficiencies were achieved through the closure of some regional and overseas offices, rearrangement of structures in Central Office to reduce the size of senior management and through the extension of the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).
The tightening of Migration Program settings saw some reduction in the size of the program and in the level of associated demand for permanent entry. However, this was against the background of more difficult demand management. Visitor arrivals were 2.9 million compared with 1.8 million five years previously and 14.5 million movements, an increase of eight per cent on 1995–96 were recorded. A greater focus on processing applications for onshore protection resulted in the number of cases on hand being halved but gave rise to increased litigation and court action.
The year was marked by extensive Ministerial and departmental consultations with individuals, groups and their organisations, in every State and Territory, on a range of issues. Some of these consultations related directly to the development of the Migration and Humanitarian programs. Departmental support was also provided for ongoing and wide-ranging consultations with community groups and individuals.
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