The Commonwealth Ombudsman has found that delays in the Australian Border Force (ABF) processing imported sea cargo were related to the Australian Public Service’s cap on average staffing levels.
In his report, Investigation into Delays in Processing Inbound Containerised Sea Cargo, the Ombudsman, Michael Manthorpe, said his office had received “numerous complaints” about delays in processing containerised sea cargo, which resulted in additional costs for importers.
“While the ABF has well-established administrative processes to manage containerised sea cargo compliance, more could be done to manage backlogs,” Mr Manthorpe said.
He said the ABF should consider introducing a timeliness target for performing its scrutiny of containers.
“We are concerned about instances where containers sit at the terminal for extended timeframes awaiting inspection.”
Mr Manthorpe said that the ABF, like the Australian Public Service generally, was subject to a cap on average staffing levels.
“There are growing numbers of containers entering Australia, just as there are growing numbers of passengers, visa applicants, and other volumetric challenges confronting the ABF and the wider Department of Home Affairs,” he said.
“A critical challenge for the whole Department, therefore, is how to manage increasing volumes across its business, so much of which present risks of harm to the Australian community, while living within the cap.”
“The idea that the ABF ought to be a professional, multi-skilled and flexible operational arm of the Department was central to its creation.
“However, if arbitrary targets are set for it in particular areas of activity that don’t match contemporary operational priorities or the reality of resourcing levels, it will fail to meet the legitimate expectations of stakeholders.”
Mr Manthorpe made 10 recommendations of which the Department of Home Affairs accepted nine.
He said that since July 2012, his office had received 356 approaches related to the border control area of the ABF.
The Ombudsman’s 43-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
