David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, by no later than 1 pm on 30 November 2023, the following:

(a) the total dollar amount of funding provided to the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (the Authority) or other entities under the 'Funding Arrangement Supporting Papua New Guinea's Independent Management of the Residual Regional Processing Caseload' (the funding arrangement), signed in December 2021;

(b) the schedule of payments, including dates and dollar amount of all monies paid to date, to the Authority or other entities associated with the funding arrangement, including the details of the entity to whom these payments were made;

(c) any correspondence between the Department of Home Affairs, Australian Border Force, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or any other Australian Government agency relating to the requirements for financial reporting, acquittal or auditing of expenditure under the funding arrangement;

(d) all documentation relating to the fraud and corruption prevention activities and planning undertaken in relation to the funding arrangement, in line with the Commonwealth Fraud Control Framework;

(e) any correspondence from, to or between Australian Government officials relating to concerns about fraud and corruption (actual or prospective) in the expenditure of the funding arrangement;

(f) any agreements or correspondence with the Authority or other entities outlining or negotiating the healthcare, welfare accommodation or other services to be provided to the 'residual caseload' under the funding arrangement, and the period for which these were to be provided; and

(g) any correspondence or representations from, to or between Australian Government officials and the Authority regarding current funding shortfalls or debts to Papua New Guinean businesses that may be considered to be related to the funding arrangement.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a one-minute statement.

Andrew McLachlan (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia and PNG ended their regional processing association on 31 December 2021 through the mutual termination of the regional resettlement arrangement. On 1 January 2022, the PNG government assumed full and independent management of individuals remaining in PNG. The Department of Home Affairs does not have any role in the ongoing management of or service delivery arrangements for individuals remaining in PNG.

Australia agreed a confidential bilateral arrangement with the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority in December 2021 to support PNG's independent management of the residual caseload. In consultation with and mutual agreement between Australia and PNG, care and management of this group transitioned to the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority from 1 September 2023. The PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority is providing access to secure and sustainable accommodation, welfare and health services and employment and community linking services. The funding assists the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority in providing a range of settlement, welfare and health support to individuals remaining in PNG who are pursuing permanent settlement in PNG or pending their resettlement in a third country. Details of the funding arrangement remain confidential between PNG and Australia.

Andrew McLachlan (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question before the chamber is that the motion standing in the name of Senator David Pocock be agreed to.