Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration

2010, A Year of Reform and Achievement for the Immigration and Citizenship Service

As we approach the end of another busy year, I would like to outline some of the significant reforms and achievements of the Immigration and Citizenship portfolio. As Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration, I take great pleasure in outlining these achievements as they demonstrate the commitment of the Somare Government to increasing the capacity of our Immigration and Citizenship Service to meet the challenges of the future.

This year has been a year of significant progress for the Immigration and Citizenship Service, including implementation of organisational and processing reforms, an enhanced Border Management System (BMS) and increased enforcement and compliance capacity. At the same time, the Immigration and Citizenship Service has taken on additional administrative and operational accountability following Parliament’s decision to transform the organisation to an independent, self accounting statutory authority.

As Minister,

While I acknowledge these achievements, I also accept that much more needs to be done. That is why I have tasked the Immigration and Citizenship Service to move forward in 2011 with a number of significant reforms. These include legislative reform and review of our entry permit and visa regime and enhanced border management and compliance activities. At the same time, the organisation needs to increase its levels of client service further. A recent survey of client satisfaction found that in the main the majority of Immigration and Citizenship Service clients are satisfied with the current level of service provided. Nevertheless, the survey revealed a number of important areas where improvements can be made and I have asked the Acting Chief Migration Officer to ensure that these areas are addressed as a priority in 2011.

I will now outline in more detail some of the specific achievements from 2010.

PNGICS Becomes a Statutory Authority

On 28 May 2010, the National Parliament unanimously passed the Immigration and Citizenship Service Bill which provides the legal framework for the establishment of the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service as a statutory authority. On 15 July 2010, notification of the certified Bill was placed in the National Gazette, and the Immigration and Citizenship Service Act 2010 entered into law. As a result, the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service has formally become an independent, self accounting statutory authority.

As a consequence of this change, the separation of the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service from the Department of Foreign and Affairs and Trade was formalized. While the organisation continues to report to me as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration, it no longer has any administrative or legislative accountability to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This is providing the foundation for increased autonomy and transparency in the provision of immigration and citizenship services.  

In establishing the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service as a statutory authority, I have made it clear that I want the organisation to be able to respond more efficiently and effectively to the needs of the business community. In that regard, the new authority takes on increased powers and functions that will allow for the recruitment of additional staff and investment in additional resources to enhance client service responsiveness. Under the new arrangements, the organisation will progressively expand its workforce to more than 160 full time staff, including increased staffing levels in key overseas missions and, importantly, border posts.

The new statutory authority arrangements also provide a secure, stable and sustainable funding base for the organisation. Under the Immigration and Citizenship Service Act 2010 the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service will retain 50% of all revenue collections for the purpose of paying staff salaries and improving the administration and effectiveness of the Authority. As has been previously noted in public notices on these changes, the Immigration and Citizenship Service Act 2010 provides that where funds are unspent or uncommitted at the end of any financial year, that those funds shall be returned to the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This provision seeks to ensure that as an organisation the PNGICS manages it funds effectively without accumulating significant surpluses which could be better applied in other important areas of government service.

The establishment of the PNGICS as a statutory authority will also see the creation of a new PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Advisory Board to provide strategic advice to the new organisation, particularly in relation to the needs of the business community and economy. Early in 2011 I expect to finalize arrangements for the establishment of the Board and it is my hope that it will contribute significantly to the future strategic direction of our immigration and border security operations.

Office Expansion

Another significant achievement in 2010 has been the expansion of PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service headquarters in Waigani to provide enhanced customer service facilities. The expansion, which was completed in early 2010 has also resulted in a doubling of office staff floor space available to the organisation, accommodating future staff expansion and providing greater processing capability.

The renovations have also seen the establishment of dedicated Counters for both visas and passports, resulting in an additional 7 client service windows for visa and passport lodgments and enquiries. As a consequence, client service waiting times have significantly reduced.

As I noted in my comments above, following the recent client service survey the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service has identified a number of areas where improvements can be made to existing client service arrangements. Implementation of these changes will be a key priority in 2011.

Implementation of Enhanced Border Management System (BMS)

As has been previously advised in a number of public notices, the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service has implemented an enhanced Border Management System for processing all visa applications and clearing passengers across PNG Borders. The new system is an important step in improving the integrity and management of PNG’s border management and visa processing capability and provides enhanced capacity in a number of important areas.

With the implementation of the new system, visa approvals are now being transmitted electronically between PNGICS Head Office, Jackson’s International Airport and missions in Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines and China. As a consequence, visa approval transmissions are now occurring in real time, reducing delays in the visa application and approval process.

The Border Management System project has been undertaken in consultation with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship under the PNG-Australia Bilateral Partnership.

Establishment of the PNG Immigration Website

This year, I formally launched the new PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service website. This is the first time that information regarding PNG immigration and citizenship matters has been made available online via the Internet.

The new website contains comprehensive information on a range of topics and has been designed to be user centric and client friendly. Application forms and information on different visa types can be accessed from the website anywhere, at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The PNGICS website can be accessed at: http://www.immigration.gov.pg.

In 2011 the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service will be enhancing the website to include increased client functionality and information.

Visa Branch Reforms

This year has also seen significant reform to Visa Branch operations. These reforms have been achieved in part due to the new functionality and efficiency of the Border Management System. As a result of these reforms, the Visa Branch is now processing the majority of new visa and extension applications well within the standard 15 working day processing timeframe. This is a significant reduction compared to one or two years ago, where clients routinely waited between one and three months for a decision.

These changes have been achieved as a result of increased staffing capacity and leadership within the Branch. Under the guidance of the Director of Visa Branch, staffing numbers have almost doubled and the Branch now has greater capacity to both serve clients and undertake visa processing.

In 2011, the Branch expects to consolidate on these improvements with additional staff and enhanced client service and processing procedures.

PNG Passports

Likewise, the Passports and Citizenship Branch has significantly enhanced client service operations. Passport applications are now being processed on average in under two weeks and counter changes have seen significant reductions in client waiting times.

Through enhanced administration and financial management, the Branch has also ensured that passport stocks are better managed, avoiding situations where stock is depleted before new deliveries are received. This has ensured that the Branch can maintain business continuity, meeting the needs of Papua New Guineans who need to travel internationally.

In 2011 the Branch will seek to consolidate on these gains further through the recruitment of additional processing staff and enhanced information technology systems. A key priority will be to consider ways in which the PNG Passport Processing System can be more effectively integrated with the Border Management System.

I am advised that despite numerous public notices in 2010 that a significant number of PNG passports remain with PNGICS awaiting collection. I again remind members of the public that if you have made application for a passport in the past 12 months and have failed to collect it, that you should make immediate contact with the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service to arrange collection.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind PNG Citizens that a passport is a valuable document that remains the property of the Government of Papua New Guinea. It should therefore be kept in a safe place, and if lost, reported to the Immigration and Citizenship Service without delay.

Enforcement and Compliance

A priority area within the Immigration and Citizenship Service is Enforcement and Compliance operations. While I acknowledge that this is an area where significant improvements can still be made, there have been a number of notable achievements in 2010. These include better management of over-stayers and removal of unlawful non-citizens and greater engagement with other law enforcement and border security agencies. The Enforcement and Compliance Branch has also consolidated border management operations at Jackson’s International Airport, resulting in the detection and removal of a number of individuals of concern. This work has also been supported by the Border Management System which has resulted in a more significant and intuitive alerts management process.

The Enforcement and Compliance Branch has also actively participated in and been a member of several strategic multi-agency legislative change working groups as well as a number of national and international forums and has been actively engaged with activities coordinated through the Bali Process and the Pacific Immigration Directors Conference. The Branch has also initiated an innovative Provincial stakeholder engagement strategy with selected law enforcement and core business partners across PNG. Through this work, the Branch is enhancing national and regional cooperation mechanisms and contributing to greater border security both in Papua New Guinea and within the region more broadly.

With enhanced staffing numbers in 2011, the Branch is expecting to significantly increase compliance and enforcement inspection operations. This work will be undertaken in close partnership with counterpart agencies, including officers of the PNG Customs Service, the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the Work Permit Division of the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations.

As Minister, I see Enforcement and Compliance as a priority area. It is only through effective monitoring and enforcement that we can ensure that non-citizens abide by our immigration and border security laws.

Policy Formulation and Reforms

There have also been significant legislative and policy reforms in 2010. These include finalisation of a new framework for permanent residence, proposed changes to the Business Visa Regime and the introduction of a new Restricted Employment Visa to address urgent and short term needs of employers.

At the time of writing these reforms are currently before Cabinet for consideration. Once approved, a key priority in 2011 will be to implement the new arrangements without delay.

In 2011 the Policy and Legal Branch of the Immigration and Citizenship Service will also be embarking upon an ambitious program of legislative reform. This work will include a comprehensive review of the Migration Act and Regulations to ensure that our laws are effective and meet the needs of our economy. The review will also place significant importance on our international protection obligations and will include a review of refugee determination provisions. It is my hope that this process of legislative reform can be concluded by the end of 2011 providing a strong foundation for the future.

Finance and Administration

Through new statutory authority arrangements the capacity of the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Finance and Administration Branch has been significantly enhanced. The branch is now responsible for all aspects of the organisation’s financial management and administration and operated within budget throughout 2010.

In 2011 the Branch will also take on increased financial management accountabilities under the Public Finances (Management) Act 1995 through the administration of the Immigration and Citizenship Service Trust Account. To assist the Branch with this process, the Acting Deputy Chief Migration Officer will be working with Branch staff to increase staffing numbers and to put in place important organisational management processes. This will ensure that all financial operations are transparent and in full accordance with the law.

The Finance and Administration Branch has also had oversight in 2010 of the office expansion process and worked with both contractors and staff to ensure a smooth transition to new office accommodation arrangements. The Branch has also facilitated and managed the placement of officers in key overseas missions abroad, further enhancing the capacity of the organisation to meet the demands of visa processing in high volume locations.

Bilateral and International Engagement

As a leading border security agency within the Pacific Region, the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service has been working actively with regional partners to enhance regional border security. This work has included proactive and positive engagement with international organizations such as the United National High Commission for Refugees, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, the International Organization for Migration and the Pacific Immigration Directors’ Conference. Through this work, the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service has been seen as an active regional partner in a range of different areas.

At the same time, the bilateral partnership with Australia has been strengthened through ongoing cooperation in a number of important areas. These include the Border Management System and the provision of four Advisors under the Strongim Gavman Program (SGP). Through this advisory support, the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service has been supported to achieve a number of significant reforms. The success of the SGP in the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service provides an example of sustainable capacity development and aid effectiveness.

In 2011, the organisation will continue to engage with international and bilateral partners and cooperate on areas of mutual interest.

Meeting the Demands of the PNG LNG Project

Finally, an area of significant achievement for the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service has been flexibly addressing the demands from the PNG LNG Project. This work has been undertaken in active partnership with ExxonMobil and LNG contractors and has resulted in an innovative and effective processing model that will significantly streamline and reduce processing times.

Under the model, the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service is leveraging off the Border Management System and the placement of Immigration and Citizenship Service Officers at key locations abroad.

While I acknowledge that the PNG LNG Project will place significant demands on a number of government agencies, I am pleased to be able to report that the PNG Immigration and Citizenship service is leading the way. Through effective engagement with industry partners and practical thinking, the organisation is well placed to address the demands of the project as workforce needs intensify in early to mid 2011.

Meeting the Needs of the Business Community

Throughout 2010, the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service has also been working to meet the needs of the business community by providing more efficient levels of visa processing. In that regard, I would like to acknowledge the support of the Business Council of PNG which have provided direct support and assistance to the organisation throughout 2010. As a consequence of this support, the organisation is becoming increasingly more focused on the needs of business and industry.

Conclusion

To conclude, as Minister I am proud to report on these achievements which reflect strong political will and hard work on the part of officers of the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service.

However, now is not the time for complacency. Our achievements have been significant but challenges still remain.

Through effective management and operational reform, the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service is well placed to meet these challenges. As Minister, I will continue working closely with the organisation to ensure that it meets its mandated responsibilities while at same time providing efficient, effective and transparent client services. I will ensure that the organisation continues to remain accountable and that the needs and interests of Papua New Guinea as whole remain a priority. This is the challenge for 2011 – a challenge that I am confident will be met.  

The Hon. Samuel T. Abal, MP

Minister for Foreign Affairs,

Trade and Immigration

November 2010