DIMIA Annual Report 2001-02
DIFFERENCE OF OUTCOME AND OUTPUT STRUCTURES FROM PBS FORMAT
There have been several changes to DIMIA's outcomes and outputs framework since the 2000-01 Annual Report and the 2001-02 Portfolio Budget Statements. These include:
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a new outcome, Outcome Three - sound and well-coordinated policies, programs and decision-making processes in relation to Indigenous affairs and reconciliation, was created due to the Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO) of 26 November 2001. Outcome Three encompasses the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (OATSIA) which was formerly the Department of Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (DORATSIA)
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a new output was created at 2001-02 Additional Estimates, Output 1.5 - Offshore asylum seeker management, to separately identify this activity
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the title of Outcome One has been expanded to enhance clarity.
ROLE AND FUNCTIONS
The Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO) announced by the Prime Minister on 26 November 2001 provided for the creation of a new Portfolio covering immigration, multicultural affairs, Indigenous affairs and reconciliation. This saw the amalgamation of the two former Portfolios: Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.
The new Portfolio consists of:
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The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) (which now includes the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs)
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC)
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Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL)
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Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)
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Indigenous Business Australia (IBA)
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Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC)
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Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA)
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Migration Review Tribunal (MRT)
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Office of Evaluation and Audit (OEA)
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Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT)
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Registrar of Aboriginal Corporations
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Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA)
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The following non-statutory bodies – the Council for Multicultural Australia, the Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council and the Immigration Detention Advisory Group.
Council for Multicultural Australia
Mr Benjamin Chow, NSW (Chair)
Dr Mustapha Alameddin, NSW
Mr Randolph Alwis, SA
Ms Barbra Blomberg, TAS
Mr Julian Heath, NSW
Ms Shirley Huang JP, QLD
Dr Helen Nugent, NSW
Mrs Alice Omaji, NT
Ms Sophia Provatidis, SA
Ms Isobel (Boni) Robertson, QLD
Dr Colin Rubenstein, VIC
Professor Jerzy (George) Smolicz AM FASSA, SA
Professor Charles Thomas Stannage AM, WA
Ms Karen Stewart, VIC
Professor Trang Thomas AM, VIC
Mr Mark Tiirikainen, ACT
Superintendent Michael (Mick) Van Heythuysen, NT
Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council
Major General Warren Glenny AO RFD ED (Retd) (Chair)
Dr Mohammed Taha Alsalami
Mr Paris Aristotle AM
Ms Carmel Guerra
Mr Kevin Liston
Ms Margaret Piper
Mr Gerald Searle
Reverend Eileen Thomson
Ms Maritsa Eftimiou
Immigration Detention Advisory Group
The Hon John Hodges (Chair)
Dr Mohammed Taha Alsalami
Mr Paris Aristotle AM Air Marshal Ray Funnell AC (Retd)
Major General Warren Glenny AO RFD ED (Retd)
Ms Ellen Goodman
The Hon Gerry Hand
Professor Harry Minas
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During the year the Minister appointed the following external reference groups:
Regional Migration
Mr Peter Dale
Mr David Keenan
Dr Deborah Kuchler
The Hon Lou Lieberman
Mr Jim Petrich
Business Skills
Mr Noel Hicks
Ms Jenny Fletcher
Mr Francis Wong
Migration Agents Registration Authority
Mr Ian Spicer (Chair)
Mr Ian Tonking
Ms Robin Hunt
Mr Tom Drakopoulos
Temporary Residence Review
Mr Peter Mc Laughlin
Dr Bruce Harris FRACGP, FACRRM
Mr Anwar Harb
Mr Kevin Jacobson OAM
Venerable Thich Quang BA JP
In addition, the Portfolio represents the Commonwealth interest in one company limited by guarantee – the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) Limited.
DIMIA's mission is Australia, enriched through the entry and settlement of people; valuing its heritage, citizenship and cultural diversity; and recognising the special place of Indigenous people as its original inhabitants.
The department manages the permanent and temporary entry of people to Australia, enforces immigration law, settles migrants and refugees, promotes the benefits of citizenship and cultural diversity, and works with other Portfolio agencies and departments to advance the social, economic and cultural interests and status of Indigenous people.
The tasks assigned to the Portfolio in the AAO are:
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arrangements for the settlement of migrants and humanitarian entrants, other than migrant child education
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citizenship
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ethnic affairs
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entry, stay and departure arrangements for non citizens
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border (immigration) control
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multicultural affairs
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Indigenous affairs and reconciliation.
The outputs and services provided by the department overseas and in Australia include:
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visa services for migrants, temporary entrants (e.g. skilled workers), business visitors, students and tourists, including identifying those entitled to lawful entry into Australia, prior to arrival
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processing people moving into and out of Australia through Australian air and sea ports
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assessing the character, health and bona fides of applicants for entry into Australia
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identifying those owed protection in Australia on humanitarian or other grounds and helping Australia fulfil its international obligations towards refugees and other humanitarian needs
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locating, detaining and removing unlawful non-citizens
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identifying and reducing people smuggling and other immigration malpractice and fraud
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increasing the ability of migrants to participate in Australian life, through settlement programs, including English-language tuition for adults and translating and interpreting services
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promoting the value of citizenship and making decisions on acquisition and loss of citizenship under the Australian Citizenship Act 1948
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contributing to maintaining and further enhancing appreciation of Australia's cultural diversity within a framework of national unity
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providing policy advice on Indigenous affairs and reconciliation.