Integrity of visa system is paramount

THIS is in response to the article “Visa processing delay frustrates medical scheme staff” (The National, Feb 28).
There is no basis for the claim that there is any doubt about what is required for the granting of a visa to travel to Australia.
The Solomon Islands’ ho­norary consul in Sydney, Sir Trevor Garland, has a long (and proud) association with Melanesia, and we are disappointed by
his comments, as well as his personal attack on our hard-working immigration staff at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby.
We are pleased that PNG national Katalake is now being treated in a hospital in Sydney and we wish him a speedy reco­very.
Sir Trevor knows that the integrity of the Australian visa system is paramount.
If he is unclear about what is required, he need only check our website at www.immi.gov.au or call our general enquiries line (in Australia 131 881).
There is no excuse to make unfounded accusations claiming that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship is “de­liberately obstructive” or that our staff “display a lack of compassion”.
We managed around 28 million border crossings in 2011 and 2012, many of them involving medical evacuations and medi­cal visas where compassion and empathy were hallmarks of the client service our staff provided.
All visa applicants are reminded that integrity is paramount to the fundamental underpinnings of Australia’s migration programme, whether that be for, among other things, short-term visits, medical visas or escorts, long-term business stays or permanent residence.
And finally, we would like to remind all Papua New Guinean citizens seeking a visa for Australia that the Australian visa application centres in Port Moresby and Lae are able to assist you with your applications.
Further details can also be found on the website at www.ttsaustralia.com.

Sandi Logan
National Communications Manager
Department of Immigration
and Citizenship
Canberra