Australian Immigration Daily News

In the present era of "fake news", sometimes you come across stories in the paper that are so jaw-droppingly astounding that you just couldn't make it up if you tried.

And so it is with the Sydney Morning Herald article that can be found by clicking here.

The article reports that the Department is planning to spend $250,000,000 - that's right, a quarter of a billion dollars - on fit out  of the building shown in the photo, which is reportedly near the airport in Canberra. 

The Herald article reports, incredibly, that this proposal is thought to possibly be the most expensive plan of its type in federal government history!

It is my personal opinion that this proposed expenditure is appalling and disgraceful.

At a time when the Department continues to hold asylum seekers in what by all accounts are squalid, disgusting and inhumane conditions on Manus Island and on Nauru, they are proposing to spend this much money on a new Taj Mahal office for themselves? 

That's right, somehow the Department can find a way to spend a fortune on new office accommodation but can't find a way to provide decent shelter for asylum seekers? 

How can that possibly, possibly be justified?

And to make matters worse, according to the report in the Herald, the hearings on this proposal that were held last week before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works were a complete and total fiasco.

The Herald article reports that at the hearing, members of the Committee castigated the Department for providing with incorrect figures concerning the cost of the proposal. And to add insult to injury the Department's secretary Mike Pezullo reportedly blamed the errors on a consultant and claimed the consultant "used the wrong spreadsheet". Whatever happened to accepting responsibility? Harry Truman's famous phrase: "The buck stops here" apparently hasn't been heard in the corridors of the Department.

Amazing given the Department's current heavy-handed approach with the review of visa applications. 

Just think what would happen if you submitted an application with an error like that. 

Refusal, PIC 4020, visa cancellation on the grounds of providing incorrect information, or worse?

Amazingly enough, this building has reportedly been sitting empty for the last 8 years.

Nonetheless, the Herald reports that Labor Senator Alex Gallacher observed that the Department will be paying the maximum rate for a lease in Canberra.

Nothing like getting "value for money" for the hard-working Australian taxpayer!

And here's the capper: the Herald article reports that the fit out is scheduled to start in August of this year and will not be completed until February 2021.  

That's right. About 3 1/2 years. Doesn't it seem like an entirely new building could be constructed in less time and at less cost. $250 million! For a fit out!!! Are they planning gold plated toilet fixtures! Seriously.

That's my rant for the day. Again, a personal opinion. 

Of course if you want a free rant about Trump's immigration policies, I will be happy to oblige!