DIMA Annual Report 1999-2000
Review by the Secretary (continued)
Future developments
2000-2001 will see further intensive work in areas such as migration, settlement, citizenship and multicultural affairs continue.
The Department will continue in a high state of readiness for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
We will continue to focus on ensuring positive outcomes from the new, integrated, humanitarian settlement strategy arrangements, encouraging the value of Australian citizenship in the Centenary of Federation year, implementing the new agenda for multicultural Australia and publicising immigration facts.
Flowing from the significant international increase in people smuggling and trafficking, the Department will implement the first phase of the long-term strategy for detention centres announced by the Government in May.
A major focus for the Department will remain combating people smuggling and trafficking. We will work closely with overseas governments and other agencies, using better information, strengthening deterrents and bending every effort to ensure that the international protection system operates effectively in the interests of those most in need.
To ensure that our business processes remain relevant to the future needs of the Government and our clients, the Department will continue a broad-ranging review of its service delivery practices. To ensure its success, a senior officer was appointed to the new position of Executive Coordinator (Business Solutions).
Technology investments will be an important contributor to any new service delivery models. While we are already well placed to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Government reforms and advances in technology arising in particular from the Internet and telecommunications generally, the review will also embrace our systems, processes, procedures and human resource management practices.
Conclusion
This report outlines some extraordinary challenges faced by the Department in 1999-2000, as well as the range of our everyday responsibilities. The fact that four DIMA officers were awarded the Public Service Medal during the year is not only a fitting tribute to them individually but also an indication of the importance attached to our work by the community.
The many staff who gave so unstintingly of their commitment and abilities as they responded to the issues which confronted us have my admiration and heartfelt thanks.
I also extend my appreciation to the people from other Departments, State and Territory Governments, private sector agencies and community groups who worked with us to achieve good outcomes for Australia.
The Department will continue to work professionally in 2000-2001, as it has for the past 55 years, in helping to build Australia.
Unauthorised boat arrivals - a growing international problem
In 1999-2000 Australia experienced an unprecedented surge in unauthorised boat arrivals. Over the year, 4,175 people were brought to Australia's shores illegally by boat.
This was a considerable increase on previous years. In 1998-99, 926 people arrived illegally by boat, while in 1997-98 the figure was a relatively low 157.
The dramatic increase was accompanied by a major shift in the composition of arrivals. In the first eight months of 1999-2000, 55 per cent of arrivals were Iraqi nationals and 32 per cent were Afghanistan nationals. By contrast, in 1998-99 only 13 per cent of arrivals were from Iraq and 10 per cent from Afghanistan, while 51 per cent were from the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Most of the recent influx came originally from the Middle East. Arrivals included people from Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Boat arrivals from China, while still occurring from time to time, reduced dramatically.
In 1999-2000 unauthorised boat arrivals occurred at:
- Ashmore Islands - 51 boats
- Christmas Island - 10 boats
- Bathurst Island - 1 boat, and
- North West Kimberley - 13 boats.
The Government's response
The unprecedented number of arrivals added new and urgent dimensions requiring a whole-of-government response.
The Government moved quickly to develop a four-part strategy to address the issue of people smuggling:
- Prevention
- Interception
- Reception, and
- Cooperation.