The government says a $5 million strategic review into the Home Affairs mega department led to “long term benefits” but has refused to provide any details.
The Senate had given Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton until Wednesday afternoon to table the review of the Home Affairs department which was due to be completed in May.
Instead, the government provided a single page of information about the $5 million review process.
“There was no single consolidated report prepared as part of the strategic review process,” the document tabled noted.
Described by then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull as “the most significant reform of Australia’s national intelligence and domestic security arrangements” in more than 40 years, the super department was formed in late 2017 by combining the Immigration and Border Protection Department with parts of the Attorney-General’s, Infrastructure and Social Services departments.
The department’s responsibilities range from transport security to multicultural affairs, and it manages key national security agencies including ASIO, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
Then treasurer Scott Morrison allocated $7 million in the 2018-19 budget to conduct a review of its performance five months after the merger.
But the document said only about $5 million was spent, mostly on consultant fees.
The Senate deadline was set after Labor’s Home Affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally moved a motion earlier this week demanding the report’s release.
Senator Keneally blasted Mr Dutton for failing to provide more information about the results of the review.
“This is a $5 million piece of paper. This is either the single most expensive piece of paper in the history of this chamber or a blatant rejection of the will of the Senate by a minister who is allergic to scrutiny,” Senator Keneally told the Senate on Wednesday night.
“The community has the right to know how one of our largest government departments – and one that is so fundamental to our national security – is being administered.”
Senator Michaelia Cash tabled the document prepared by Attorney-General Christian Porter as Mr Dutton is currently in London.
The review aimed to identify opportunities for “integrating capabilities, reducing duplication and maximising efficiencies” within the mega department.
The Home Affairs Department is reportedly under financial pressure, facing a $150 million budget cut in the year to June 2021 after it was already reportedly planning to cut back on boat patrols to save money.
The department has also been under intense scrutiny over its decision to award a $423 million contract to provide services on Manus Island to a company that was registered to a shack on Kangaroo Island.
The department is also preparing to award a major contract worth up to $1 billion to privatise Australia’s visa processing system.