The (JCPAA) has initiated a new inquiry to examine the Department of ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Affairs’ procurement of a replacement IT system for processing visa applications.
³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Affairs engaged in a multi-stage procurement for the visa processing capability which commenced in September 2017, with a new related process beginning in October 2020.
Chair of the Committee, , said that the inquiry will consider the expenditure incurred and whether value for money was achieved, the impact of anticipated savings on the Department of ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Affairs, the conduct of entities or persons involved or interested in the process, the ethical use of resources and ethical behaviour, and any lessons arising.
“The previous Government wasted $92 million on a failed attempt to privatise visa processing, yet after they abandoned their tender process still forced ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Affairs to bear a $180 million cut from fake savings that never materialised.
“The Auditor-General examined some of these issues in a report tabled this year, but further questions that have emerged warrant a stand-alone inquiry.
“The Parliament and public should understand what went on regarding this aborted, wasteful privatisation and what lessons should be learnt given the critical importance of actually doing something to upgrade ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Affairs’ antiquated IT systems.
“The Committee looks forward to hearing from ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Affairs and to considering the conduct of entities or persons involved or interested in that procurement process”, Mr Hill said.
The inquiry will focus on matters contained in or related to – Procurement of the Permissions Capability.
