In response to members concern, representatives from Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) met with Andrew Tongue, Deputy Secretary, Biosecurity & Compliance Group, and Lee Cale, Acting First Assistant Secretary Biosecurity Operations from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) to discuss the current performance levels in a number of department services.
FTA firstly acknowledged the level of support and engagement from the directors and assistant directors of the relevant work groups especially in these challenging circumstances.
We referenced IAN 204-2020 that advised emergency measures to respond to khapra beetle may impact the departments capacity to meet published service standards.
FTA raised the following specific issues:
Inspections
Volumes of imports are surging, congestion and schedule changes in Sydney have caused an increase in volumes into Melbourne. Information provided indicates that department is trying to manage a 70% increase in inspections per week.
Members and shipping lines alike report full vessels until at least mid February 2021 / Chinese New Year.
FTA stressed that it was not acceptable for the next available inspection date to be 10+ business days. The costs to industry on this are particularly burdensome.
Document processing
The current situation of 2-5 days, in some cases more, is unacceptable. We noted that previous advice from the department was to lodge early, however feedback from members who upload documents 7+ days before arrival and do not receive a direction until the vessel arrival date or after.
Treatment results
Delays of 2+ business days for a consignment to be released post onshore treatment at an Approved Arrangement. The expectation of the importer is that once the treatment is complete is that it be available for delivery immediately. A delay of 2+business days to obtain release is exacerbated if treatment is completed on or near a weekend.
Discretionary compensation - The department offers a scheme where claims can be made against it for actions that caused financial harm to the importer. Members have reported submitting claims and not receiving any correspondence for over 6 months.
NEXT STEPS
In response to our advocacy, the department agreed to:
- review the current process for signing off treatment results,
- review the profiling and quantum of CCV inspections, and
- provide transparency on current service standards.
That's where the good news ends as it was apparent from today's discussions that the department (justifiably) will not jeopardise biosecurity risks yet acknowledged that they have insufficient resources to meet the current 'surge demand'.
Due to budgetary constraints preventing deployment of additional resources,
there is no doubt that service delivery delays will continue to deteriorate.
FTA will continue to engage at departmental executive level and will escalate concerns to Minister For Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud.
As always, we will continue to keep members updated on developments.
Refer to our earlier notice sent to members HERE.
Previous correspondence to Mr Tongue can be accessed HERE