The brain drain from the immigration department is well on its way with ‘quite serious numbers…quite serious talent’ leaving the department, since its takeover by Mike Pezzullo, according to a report on the website themandarin.com. What’s left are bosses enforcing a ‘command and control’ style of operation which is enveloping the department in a ‘culture of fear’.

The long-feared purge of Immigration's Senior Executive service by their new boss Mike Pezzullo is expected soon with up to 20 per cent of the department's SES expected to be shown the door, according to media reports. In addition to the purge of the top ranks, about 100 of Immigration's 530 middle managers at Executive Level 2 classification are expected to be clearing out their desks by the end of 2015.

Is Mike Pezzullo, in recasting DIBPs mission, getting rid of anyone likely to stand in his way? If so, at what cost.

“…there are signs confidence in the department is low among immigration bureaucrats, including some of Australia’s most committed and experienced experts,” according to a report by Stephen Easton on the website themandarin.com. “Deputy Secretaries Liz Cosson, Wendy Southern and Mark Cormack have all handed in their resignations…At least two first assistant secretaries, including the chief lawyer, have also jumped ship along with at least two assistant secretaries.”

The report says that that things have gotten so bad that ‘It is not known who is performing the key roles…nor is the effect that such a dramatic loss of corporate knowledge and policy capability will have on the organisation. “

It was no surprise that DIBPs usually reticent media department was unable to provide any answers or somehow take control of the mystery and poor publicity around the issue.

Sent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dear Angela

I refer to your MIA newsletter at point 3 'Constitutional Changes - Upcoming EGM' and attached fact sheet.

This email  from James Tan has been received by Migration Alliance and written permission provided for it's release in our news:

Dear Colleagues

I forward for your reading and consideration an email I have received from the Queensland/Northern Territory Committee of the MIA. It is a very powerful submission to explain why the motion for consideration by the upcoming EGM to be held in MIA Head office in Sydney should be voted against. I will be passing on my proxy vote to John Hourigan with specific instructions to vote against the motion for the reasons expounded in the submission of the QLD/NT MIA Committee.

The surge of Indian and Chinese migrants over the last ten years has driven the growth rate of overseas born Australians to a 120 year high.

Not since the gold rush of 1880s has Australia seen such high migration rates. The difference however is that Asian countries now figure prominently in this surge according to a media release by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

People born overseas now make-up 28 per cent of the resident population of Australia, sates the release. That equals to about 6.6 million people, numbers not seen in 120 years or since the tail end of the gold rush, said ABS spokesperson Denise Carlton in the media release.

“Overseas migration has been a large contributor to the total Australian population growth for several years: it has consistently been the main driver since 2005-06, contributing more than 50 per cent of population growth in Australia,” Ms Carlton said.

“While the largest migrant groups were people born in the UK and New Zealand, with a total of over 1.8 million Australian residents being born in those two countries, the next two most common birthplaces were from the Asian region.” These were China and India, with about 450,000 and 400,000 respectively.

Recently RMAs are reporting having received letters from the ATO which ask them to amend their tax returns. Migration Alliance is in receipt of emails from RMAs such as the following:

"Dear Sir/Madam,

Greetings!!!

As I have understood MA has been always there to help/guide the Migration Agents with any difficulties they come across time to time.

Recently lot of RMAs' has received notice to amend the tax returns from ATO. I was wondering if it has come to your notice and if there was any useful tips to handle the situation. Your support in this matter will be highly appreciated. Thanks for your cooperation. "

Migration Alliance believes that this is an ATO scattergun approach with business owners who are also RMAs.  If you have any concerns please speak with your accountant.  If you have nothing to amend then please have your accountant write back to the ATO advising them of 'no amendments'.   Please seek advice from your accountant.