Much improved

Letter to the Editor - Hobart Mercury
11 August 2008

Dear Sir/Madam,

It is easy for Andrew Wilkie (Complex reasons for refugee influx, 7/8/08) to make the unsubstantiated claim that ‘there is no hard evidence the deep cultural flaws in the Immigration Department have been remedied’, but he didn’t provide evidence and the reason why is because in fact the public record is quite the opposite.

It is acknowledged and deeply regretted that the mistakes the department has made, particularly as they relate to Cornelia Rau and Vivian Solon, were tragic and avoidable, and should never be repeated.

It is also acknowledged by many organisations including the Commonwealth Ombudsman and Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission that substantial improvements have been made in the culture of the department where far greater emphasis is placed on governance, fair and reasonable dealings with clients, open and accountable decision-making, and supporting staff with increased training opportunities than ever before.

In fact Tasmania’s own Karinya Young Women’s Service recently praised the department following the positive dealings it had with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Tasmanian office.

The Palmer and Comrie reports of 2005, and the reports by the Ombudsman, provided the catalyst for very substantial business and cultural change in the department. While much has been achieved, there always remains much to do.

Sandi Logan
National Communications Manager,
Department of Immigration and Citizenship