Compliance

Compliance Program’s core function is to work with Biosecurity program managers, members of the public and other law enforcement agencies to carry out investigations where suspected breaches of our legislation appear to have occurred.

Compliance issues warnings to those individuals and entities that may inadvertently create risks situations as well as providing briefs of evidence to Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to consider criminal prosecution where it appears a breach of the legislation has occurred presenting increased risk to Australia. Information is also provided by the Compliance Branch to Biosecurity program managers to assist in addressing system changes to improve our risk management approach.

Ombudsman Review

The Commonwealth Ombudsman recently released its office’s final report on the DAFF Biosecurity Investigations and Enforcement Program, covering five reviews conducted between 2010 and 2011 at all DAFF Biosecurity regional offices.

The Ombudsman found that:

• DAFF Biosecurity adhered to its own investigations policies and procedures
• met the required qualification standards
• investigations were conducted in a timely manner
• decisions to conduct interviews were made in accordance with internal guidelines
• applications for and execution of warrants complied with legislation.

The report made six recommendations all of which have or are being implemented. These related to

• instigating a consistent approach to managing complex investigations i.e. the need to use investigation tools commensurate with the complexity of an investigation
• a need to improve some record keeping
• to provide due process to recipients of correspondence.

The department welcomes the Ombudsman’s feedback and is committed to improving it business processes and investigation standard. It has developed and implemented an annual audit schedule of our investigation activities based on the Ombudsman’s findings.

The department is also making available the five independent regional office reports which informed the consolidated Ombudsman’s report:

Adelaide

• Report into investigations conducted by the Adelaide office of the Compliance Branch, Biosecurity Services Group Word [150KB]
• Report into investigations conducted by the Adelaide office of the Compliance Branch, Biosecurity Services Group PDF [1.1MB]

Brisbane

• Report into investigations conducted by the Brisbane office of the Compliance Branch, Biosecurity Services Group Word [156KB]
• Report into investigations conducted by the Brisbane office of the Compliance Branch, Biosecurity Services Group PDF [129KB]

Melbourne

• Report into investigations conducted by the Melbourne office of the Compliance Branch, Biosecurity Services Group Word [156KB]
• Report into investigations conducted by the Melbourne office of the Compliance Branch, Biosecurity Services Group PDF [133KB]

Perth

• Report into investigations conducted by the Perth office of the Compliance Branch, Biosecurity Services Group Word [154KB]
• Report into investigations conducted by the Perth office of the Compliance Branch, Biosecurity Services Group PDF [133KB]

Sydney

• Report into investigations conducted by the Sydney office of the Compliance Branch, Biosecurity Services Group Word [177KB]
• Report into investigations conducted by the Sydney office of the Compliance Branch, Biosecurity Services Group PDF [152KB]