DIMA Annual Report 1996-97

Secretary's Review - conclusion

The year was fundamentally driven by two broad factors — the policy agenda of an incoming Government and demand pressures from clients.

There was considerable review activity during the year giving rise to announcements of Government decisions, changes in program settings and legislative activity.

This policy and legislative activity clearly spills into 1997-98 with many of the changes already flagged by Government, including the further reductions in the Migration Program.

Client demand will continue to be a significant management challenge.

Processing of the rising demand for visitor and temporary entry needs to be streamlined within the context of effective border management.

Demand for migration and humanitarian entry needs to be carefully managed within the context of Australia's objectives and ability to respond to international humanitarian need.

[Previous] [Next] [Table of Contents]