The results of Australia`s new visa system, the global digital platform (Global Digital Platform, GDP), will soon emerge, but there has been growing scepticism recently.
The two current bidders are the Accenture-Australia Post joint bidding team and another joint company, Australian Visa Processing.. And the root cause of the doubt lies in the Australian Visa Processing company.
It is composed of PwC, Qantas Ventures, NAB,Ellerston Capital,Pacific Blue Capital and other companies. Pacific Blue Capital, which owns 19% of the shares, is in charge of Scott Briggs, whose special status has aroused widespread scepticism.
Scott Briggs worked for former Prime Minister Tan Bao`s private investment firm, and the two are good friends. He also has close ties with current Prime Minister Morrsion, who is president of the Morrison Cook Federal Election Assembly. When Morrison competed for leadership, Briggs advised him.
In addition, Briggs is also a director of the Cronulla Sharks Club, and the Prime Minister is its number one holder. The current immigration minister, David Coleman and Briggs, have also worked together before.
All this raises questions about whether there will be any exchange of interests.
As for contracting the visa system to private companies, unions have long said it could pose risks to national security, employee interests and privacy.
Labour said it would urge the government to scrutinize the Australian Visa Processing bid at next month`s Senate hearing.
Labour immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann also questioned the reasonableness of outsourcing the visa system, and the Liberal Party must explain exactly what impact it would have on privacy and security. He hoped that the prime minister and immigration minister would not be involved in the bidding process.
A spokesman for Immigration Minister David Coleman said the minister would not be involved in bidding-related decisions. A spokesman for Prime Minister Morrison said the bidding process was the responsibility of the Ministry of the Interior and would follow a rigorous integrity review.
Australia`s visa system has not changed much over the past 30 years. Whoever wins in the end hopes they can bring a new and convenient visa application experience to everyone.
