DIMIA DEEP THROAT

Mark Bahnisch reckons the interview last night on Lateline of a disgruntled immigration officer was "red hot". So, what did Jamie - his appearance and voice were disguised to protect him from revenge attack – have to say that was so hot? Amongst other things:

MARGOT O'NEILL: Jamie says that the traditional emphasis on legal conventions and careful research was pushed aside as new recruits with security backgrounds were brought in to help process asylum seekers.

"JAMIE": The department has every right to exert border control. We need border control in our country, I think. However, when that intrudes on the decision-making process, when it comes to creating an environment where people who have genuine claims are rejected for bureaucratic reasons, I think that's wrong. Over the past few years, there's been a big emphasis on running the department as a business, a focus on trying to be more efficient - quantity, I suppose, instead of quality.

Efficient border control, horrifying. Let's throw open those borders.

"JAMIE": There are some case officers who have never approved anybody. It must be obvious that if they're being sent and they get most of the work, that they're going to be rejecting all of those people. I mean, it's a farce. But it is achieving the business outcome that the Government wants, which is very strongly anti-boat people.

MARGOT O'NEILL: It was achieved with increased political interference from then immigration minister Philip Ruddock, according to Jamie.

"JAMIE": Have a look and see some of the things that he said, describing refugees as queue jumpers.

PHILIP RUDDOCK: If people don't apply and come on a boat and believe they've got an effective outcome more quickly, then I don't know how you would describe that, other than having jumped a queue.

"JAMIE": Everyone in the Government knows people have no legal entitlement to apply at an embassy. People know they won't get anywhere unless they've got connections with the Government. People have to get on Australian soil to force an application for refuge. By promoting certain ideas and by criticising people, in a sense he's given people in the department permission to have those attitudes.

The Department of Immigration tells a different story:

In the 2003-04 program year a total of 13 851 visas were granted under the Humanitarian Program. This comprised 11 802 visas granted to persons overseas and 2049 visas granted to people in Australia. This is the highest program outcome in eight years and for the first time in five years there were no unused places to carry over to the next program year.

In line with the regional priorities as recommended by the UNHCR, priority for the offshore component of the program was given to resettlement of people from Africa, the Middle East and South West Asia. The regional composition was Africa 70.6 per cent, Middle East and South West Asia 24.4 per cent and Europe 3 per cent. A small percentage of grants were also made to people from Asia and South America.

The 2049 visas granted onshore included 788 initial protection visa grants. A total of 1259 visas were granted under Section 417 of the Migration Act which allows the Minister to substitute a more favourable decision for a decision made by the Refugee Review Tribunal. This included 1228 visas granted to East Timorese. Two temporary Humanitarian Concern visas were granted to previous holders of Safe Haven visas who required remaining in Australia.

Jamie, red hot? I think not. He's a points scoring bureaucrat with an axe to grind. Sorry Jamie, your moment of fame has been and gone.