Ignorance is bliss. Australia's New e-Passport under review. Concerns about the design and the $10 Million a year contract.

Questions need answers not complacency.

The Australian Government continues to bury its head in the sand and fails to address issues of concern related to the design and administration of Australia's flawed online e-passport system. Security issues still remain unaddressed.

After considerable angst and intervention by no less then two Senators I managed to secure a new e-passport. Having had to pay the unfair cost/tax imposed by the Federal government for being a victim of crime. (I am still waiting three months down the track for the promised refund of this unjust tax. DFAT is not an efficient organisation - accountable to no one it seams)

Australia's new designed passport is not what the Minister has made it out to be. At an additional cost of $10.00 a electronic chip and an estimated one million new passports a year, someone has creamed an extra 10 Million dollars from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (We would love to see the accounts and contract and wonder if it was a "mates rates" deal)

My new passport is just three months old and already showing signs of excessive wear and tear with every person you show it to rubbing the chip to feel what it is. (A tip to any other country that is considering wasting money on this new technology - Look else where and don't embed the chip between two pages glued together. If you must adopt new technology then consider a hard-back plastic cover similar to the EU passports and the numerous solid access security cards that are on the market. (Less chance of passport falling apart. I give my passport another year or two at the most at which time I will consider making a `defective item claim against DFAT/Australian Passport Office. I advise others to do likewise)

The whole design concept is outdated and seriously flawed. There would be more security and less cost in maintaining a on line data-transfer system then relying on the information embedded on the chip. When a person crosses a border from one country or passes through customs control then the information required is transferred electronically from one country to the next with neighbouring countries/boarder crossing database updated with the latest status. This process could readily also transfer the information embedded in the new e-passport chip.

Do not get sucked into thinking that the new passport delivers better security then the old design. It doesn't. Access to online information can be achieved by the bar code already printed on existing passports.

Clearly with the extent of ongoing denial or responsibility coming out of Alexander Downers department the Australian Government should undertake a major review of the whole system including the flawed online information management system, the design of the new passport and the rip-off 10 Million dollar contract to implement flawed technology.

Hopefully questions will be asked when the Senate next meets.

Alexander Downer the buck stops with you.

If John Howard had any integrity he would replace Downer with someone more appropriate, someone who would not be complicit in the AWB scandal or paying corrupt bribes in clear breach of international sanction.

Government responds to concerns on the quality of online system

Government has finally responded to one of the complaints lodged about it’s Online system a week after it was first made.

Still no resolution, no responsibility or acceptance of the issues identified


They continue to demonstrate their inability to understand their own system.

• There is no proper security on the reporting of lost/stolen passport system.
• Its design does not meet expected current industry standards.
• There is no quality control or proper system management in place.
• The system has not undergone a professional review and certification process.
• No one has ownership or responsibility for the system, if they do then it is not apparent.
• The fact that they are unable to identify why I have not been able to gain access demonstrates this fact. I provided them with my application code XXXXXX.

It has taken them over a week to respond to my initial concerns and complaints and I am still unable to access the system as it was supposed to be designed. If design is an appropriate word to use in this case.

Where is the response to the requested information on the quality control and certification of the system. Its non-existent

The system should be withdrawn from use pending its review,

I will be pleased to make a further detailed submission should the department undertake such a review and call for public submissions

The Governments BS response – accept no responsibility take no action to complaint - Letter received Thursday November 24, 2005 17:55

Dear Sir (Complainant)

Thank you for your email dated 16 November 2005, regarding the Passports Online System and the difficulties you have experienced in accessing the system.

We apologise for the inconvenience you have been caused when attempting to track the progress of your passport application online. We are keen to ensure that the Passports Online System is easy for clients to navigate and understand and therefore appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback to us on the difficulties you experienced with the system.

To maintain the integrity and security of our passport issuing system, and to protect the identity of the customer, we must ensure that passport information available online can only be accessed by an authorised user. Internet users are therefore required to identify themselves before they can gain access to certain functions and information on the Passports Online system. Unfortunately, from the information you have provided, it is difficult to determine why you were not able to access your information.

In your email, you also expressed concern about the security, integrity and quality of the current online system in relation to cancellation of passports. When a client reports a passport lost or stolen online they receive a screen warning that the passport will be permanently cancelled and they are required to acknowledge that they have read and understood this wording before they finalise the report. The client is also advised that it is a criminal offence under the Australian Passports Act 2005 to make false or misleading statements in relation to an Australian travel document. It further notes that there are penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment or a fine of $110,000, or both.

Thank you for drawing this matter to our attention.

Yours sincerely



William Monaghan
Director
Passport Operations Section

- Original letter of complaint dated November 16, 2005 -

Dear Australian Passport Office

re: Serious concern pertaining to the integrity, performance, security and quality control of the Australian Online Passports System.

Passport Application Ref No XXXXXXX I am trying to gain access the online Passport application tool but to date have limited success in gaining access to this information. I appreciate that the design and functionality of this system is seriously flawed and lacks proper security and quality control -It properly should never have been released into production given its current level of performance.

Previously I was unable to proceed beyond Stage Two but I have noticed that there has been some modification since I last logged on in that the format of the requested date has changed.

Unfortunately I can not proceed beyond Stage C as I do not have the access to the information listed on the form. I have not had a formal interview other then numerous conversations, emails and communication with the Moscow Mission.

I have requested on a number of occasions information pertaining to my application which has not been forthcoming.

SECURITY INTEGRITY AND QUALITY OF THE CURRENT ONLINE SYSTEM

I experienced previously similar problems associated with the completion of an online application in that the system could not handle situation where a passport was stolen but later recovered. The system, as currently designed, allows anybody with basic information pertaining to a passport holder to log in and cancel a persons current passport without first seeking proper and secure verification as to the identity of the person using the system. The only form of identity check was the information that is readily available and printed on a persons passport and the name of a passport holder's mother's maiden name. This information is readily available and known by anyone close to the passport holder and as such a valid passport could be cancelled by unknown persons without the knowledge or consent of the current valid passport holder. As such the system currently in place represents a serious security risk to the validly and functionality of the Australian Passport System. Once a passport is cancelled, given that the Australian Government has a policy of not reactivating existing passports once it is cancelled, raises a number of issues related to the liability and security of the current online Passport information system.

CERTIFICATION AND QUALITY CONTROL OF THE CURRENT SOFTWARE IN USE

I hereby request that the system undergo a proper and professional review to ensure that it meets the quality control assessment and certification as outlined in the ISO standards.

In addition consideration should be made to withdrawal the current online system pending such a review.

If the system has already been subject to a professional review I that a request a copy of the final report and certification issued.

Should you require further information I can be contacted via return email.

Yours Faithfully

Complaintant
cc Minster for Foreign Affairs, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Media

Power abuse from Moscow and a need for regime change

Moscow seeks to flex its muscle in what we now believe is an abuse of authority

Having been a victim of crime, done the right thing notified the Australian Government of the theft of a passport contacted the consulate in Moscow, Russia (something I seriously regret and advise others to avoid) I managed to get enough information together to satisfy the bureaucrats to submit my application, arranged for someone to pay the application fee including the stupid offensive counter-productive penalty for being a victim of crime tax.

Believe me this whole process is stupid and it appears it is all designed to give some sense of importance to someones dead-end job and who has nothing better to do then do nothing other then come up with the most onerous conditions that have nothing to do with what its really intended to do.

I am told the process was much more straightforward and less "catch 22" (for those that have seen the movie or read the book) then under the new "lets pretend" were are doing something passport security system that's currently in place.

If you read the new passport application form it tells you that you need to establish your identity and entitlement to hold a passport. - Sounds fair.

In order to meet the requirements you need a series of documents or other information that will satisfy the responsible Minister, Alexander downer or someone acting under delegation on his behalf, as to your identity and entitlement to hold an Australian Passport. - Sounds fair also

I am an Australian Citizen by birth and have never taken out dual citizenship of another country.

Having had my passport stolen and later recovered and returned to me, I managed to be able to scrape together the required information - most people do not carry original copies of birth certificates or entire filing cabinets with them when they travel.

I had my existing passport (although cancelled it is still valid in terms of identification for a renewal of your passport) , my Australian driver's licence and a my Australian issued bank card.

I had arranged a meeting with someone from the Moscow Consulate in Kyiv as the Australian Government does not provide a full consular services in Ukraine and that's right Moscow is the sole responsible authority.

The staff in the Australian Consulate in Moscow have not been happy about the collapse of the old centralised soviet power base and are continuing to try and hang on to power afraid that their empire is not what it used to be.

I am informed that Australia has not signed one agreement with Ukraine since its independence, if this is the case it shows how ineffective they are. (No wonder Australians still require a tourist visa to visit Ukraine whilst the rest of the western world has a visa-free status and Ukraine's membership to the WTO delayed.)

If there was a secure system of electronic document transfers and internet video conferencing available the whole process of applying for a new passport could be done back in Australia or at worst in London - No this is not the case. Moscow wants to retain its little power base and run its little show the way it sees fit.

The fact is the staff in the Moscow Office are not well informed. I was first told by one staff member that my existing passport was not valid and I could not use it for identification purposes. When this was challenged it was pointed out that an existing passport, even if cancelled, as long as it was valid within the past two years could be used for identification of entitlement and it meets the requirements outlined in the passport application guidelines. - They had no idea and had to seek clarification which was alter confirmed to be correct.

My passport has a photo on it and Australia's passports are supposed to be one of the world's most secure passports - or at least that is what Alexander Downer is telling us (See extract of Ministers interview on the ABC published in my previous post).

After seeking advice, Moscow later reported that my existing passport was an acceptable form of identification and that I now did not have to provide a copy of my birth certificate. (I fail to see why they needed one in anyway because as an existing passport holder I had already provided that information to the passport office when I first applied for a passport - I assume they have records.)

By this stage I am beginning to lose confidence in the whole process, realising that there are serious problems overall with the system in place and with the level and quality of service in Moscow in particular.

It's been over a month since I first made the mistake of reporting my passport stolen and I was beginning to look forward to receiving my new passport and putting this whole disastrous experience come nightmare behind me.

I was contacted by the London office (all new e-passports are issued from the high commission in London or Washington) and told that my passport would be ready for dispatch on November 23. - Sounds good.

I asked if it could be dispatched direct to the Australian consulate in Kyiv and at first there seemed to not be a problem with that. - After all it made more sense to ship it direct to the Kyiv Office then to have it shipped Moscow and then on forwarded to Kyiv from there.

It turns out it was not as straight forward as it seamed.

Moscow intervened and insisted that my passport is delivered direct to them. They wanted control. No valid explanations other then a possible demarcation dispute or desire to seek retaliation for the number of complaints against the I have made against the Minister and the overall system in place and the poor quality of service from the Moscow Office.

More inefficiencies.

It certainly has nothing to do with security and more to do with abuse of power.

Today, one day before the dispatch of my passport, I am contacted by senior bureaucrat Mark Betts, Consulate Official based in Moscow, informing me that he now requires additional information and he wanted to know my employers details, places where I have stayed, copies of company records information and other information that I am reluctant to provide or could not obtain this side of Christmas and the new year. Information that was not really necessary and did not assist in my identification, just general harassment.

I may be a bit cynical but I fail to see why this information is now required. Mr Betts has had over a month to look into all this and one day before the passport is ready to be dispatch he lumps this ridiculous and burdensome requirement for additional information, requirements that go well beyond the information required to be provided as stated on the application form.

Yes Mr Betts has an obligation to ensure my identity and entitlement. I had already met the requirements outlined in the application form passport, drivers licence etc. I even gave him a list of well known Australian political figures and media personalities all who could verify my identity if required. - Not one of my referees have been contacted to date by Mr Betts, bringing into question his motives in seeking further information. - Its about retribution and abuse of power.

Yes I am cynical! Yes I have complained, and rightly so, about the inefficiencies and bureaucratic stupidity of power hungry "I want to feel important" and "I have the power so I will flex it" public servants.

I can not help but think this is quickly becoming a nightmare and that I am being persecuted for having questioned the validity of the system and the merits of providing information requested. So much so, I have lost confidence in the service provided out of Moscow.

I am not the first one. Nearly all of the Australian's I have met and spoken to here in Ukraine have had a grip or two about the way in which the Moscow Office goes about its business. Up until this point I have had no problems but now I understand all too well the problems ordinary Australian's have to go through to seek assistance from the Moscow consulate. Let alone the problems Ukrainians have to go through to get a visa to visit Australia.

I am convinced more and more that power and responsibility for Australian consulate services to Ukraine should not be left in the hands of the Moscow mob (office).

The Australian Government needs to provide full independent consular services in Ukraine.

Ukraine is the largest country within the European continent, it declared Independence form Moscow over 14 years ago. Australia still considers Ukraine to be run by Moscow.

No wonder Australia has not signed any negotiation agreements with Ukraine since it has declared independence and Ukraine's membership to the WTO is delayed as a result.

The fact is that most of the consular service can and should be supported out of Australia.

There is no need for Australia to keep paying the high cost of supporting staff to live in Moscow. London or other exotic destinations, exercising useless authority in what many see is an abuse of the authority and power entrusted in them. We could save millions of dollars if the system was managed right. With use of current internet technology most, if not all, assistance could be provided back home.

OK. I realise that I am a little over reacting, or am I.

The quality of training, service and information coming out of the Moscow consulate is not the best. The information I have been provided with by the Moscow Office has been inconsistent and is forever changing. They seam to make up the rules as they go.

I have met the over onerous requirements in proving my identity and the fact that I am the owner of my existing passport.

There is a photo on my passport and it looks like me!

Even Alexander Downer admitted in an interview (see previous posts) that the old Australian Passports were one of the best in terms of the design of security and that passport fraud is not that common.

So why has the Moscow Office, now in the last, minute decided that they need more information?

Could it be that they are seeking revenge for the criticism and complaints I have made about the quality and efficiencies of the current passport regime? I can not help but think this is the case.

I have provided Mr Bretts with a list of emanate politicians, media personalities, public servants and the like, all who can testify, if need be, to my identity. This on top of having already provided the necessary information listed as being required on the application form.

I have had enough!

I have lost faith and confidence in Mr Bretts and the Moscow Consulate. I now think he is acting unjustly and maintains a degree of bias due to the number of complaints I have had to make about the quality of the service and the system that is in place. He even expressed what I consider to be an unveiled threat and possible intimidation in the content of one of his letters.

I have decided to contact the Australian Commonwealth Ombudsman Department and refer the matter to them for urgent consideration and review, although it is unclear if they have jurisdiction over the consulate who is acting under the authority of the Minister.

It looks as though I will be spending Christmas locked up in Ukraine for overstaying my visa, not of my own doing but due solely to the inefficient BS of the Moscow consulate and the seriously flawed administration of Australia's new passport regime, unless something can be resolved real soon

Quoting Alex ... on our passport system

INTERVIEWER: If that is the case, does this demonstrate that Australian passports are not as secure as the Government thought?

ALEXANDER DOWNER: No. I mean, our passports are pretty secure. That's not to say we never have cases of passport fraud. The reason we're introducing a new biometric system is because we want to keep strengthening the integrity of the passport, but with the existing system it's been pretty good, but it's Е you know, no country's yet developed a passport system which is 100 per cent secure.

INTERVIEWER: Is that a common problem that the passports office face?

ALEXANDER DOWNER: It's not a common problem. I mean, passport fraud is pretty rare, but sure, it does happen, it has happened.

Link to original Interview transript

Thursday, 28 April , 2005 12:14:00

Payment of the application fee and victim of crime penalty tax (electronic banking)

Below is a summary and further example of the adopted stupidity and inefficiency of the Australian Passport System and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (DFAT)

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade is still living in the mid 20th century.

If you are submitting your application for a new passport, whilst overseas, you will soon discover that the payment of the required fees and taxes is not that straight forward as you would think.

Note: The offensive penalty charged by the government for being a “Victim of a Crime” (VoC) for having your passport lost or stolen is considered a tax under the terms of the current passport legislation.

In my case my passport was stolen by a pickpocket gang whilst travelling on the crowded underground metro in Kyiv. You have to stay alert. I reported the theft to the Australian Government (Big mistake) the next day my passport was recovered and returned to me by the local police. (Thanks guys job well done)

In order to pay the application fees and tax you can either pay direct in cash or via a cheque at the authorised Australian consulate or arrange payment to be made at a Passport Office back in Australia.

As my local consulate (Kyiv, Ukraine) was not qualified or authorised to accept any payments - The Australian Passport Office does not trust some consulates it seams or it could be that there is an an internal power struggle going on - I had to contact the Moscow Consulate, which was the nearest authorised office, to arrange payment of the application fee and VoC penalty tax.

I asked the Consulate Staff if there was a system of electronic banking so I could go on line and arrange payment back in Australia. “No sorry, electronic banking services are not available”.

It really seams that the Australian Passport Office goes out of its way to unnecessarily make life as difficult as possible. %^&$

Australia has the latest and greatest passport technology but we still have no form of electronic banking payment system available.

A method of electronic banking payment such as BPay would make a lot more sense particularly when you are overseas.

You can pay your electricity, gas and telephone bills nowadays via direct deposit or electronic payment system. You can even pay your Company Tax, Value Added Tax etc via a direct deposit system but not with the Passports Office.

Most other National Governments have a system of bank deposit payments for visa application but not the Australia or the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It, sadly, is still living in the age of the cheque and direct cash payments.

The Moscow Consulate informed me that I could make direct cash payment in Moscow. (I like many others no longer use cheques so that was out of the question). Payment had to be in either US dollars or Russian Rubbles.

The option of sending cash to Russia was out of the question, for one it is illegal to send cash though the mail or even via courier. To send money via western Union would add another 30% on the bill. Visiting Moscow was also out of the question as I no longer had a valid passport or visa.

The cost of application fee for a new E-Passport was $172.00 and the VoC penalty tax was another $57.00 = Total $229.00 in direct costs plus all the stuffing around that I had to go though to arrange payment back in Australia.

Originally I was told that the fee for the VoC penalty tax would be $50.00 but
that was increased to $57.00 following the introduction of the new E-Passport.

That’s an increase of around 14%. (Not sure how the Minister can justify this level of increase – In his press release in June he informed the Australian Public the fee would be $50.00 which is what I was told at first by the Moscow Consulate).

Payment back in Australia:

My only other and best alternative was to contact a friend, back in Australia, have him take off three hours to visit a Passport Office in the city to arrange payment of the application fee and VoC penalty Tax. This added another 3 days delay in submitting my application.

When my friend went to make the required fee payment he was told by the staff at the Australian Passports Office that whilst he could pay the application fee in Australia the VoC tax had to be paid direct to the Moscow Consulate. “What you got to be kidding!”

Thank god my friend had some experience in dealing with bureaucratic departments before and rather then accepting no for an answer insisted on speaking to a supervisor. Thanks mate I owe you one.

Two supervisors later and another hour of time wasted he finally arranged to pay both the application fee and the inflated VoC penalty tax.

My friend emailed me the receipt details Friday morning, Australia time, and I immediately forwarded on confirmation details to the Moscow Consulate.

The Moscow consulate took another 3 days (excluding the weekend) to confirm payment. Don’t they have an internal payment database or email system in place?


In summary:

This whole process would have to be one of the most stupid,
inefficient systems in place.

It’s even more stupid given that there are readily available better alternatives in the form of electronic banking.

You would think this was not the first time payment of the overseas application fee had to be arranged to be paid back in Australia.

You would also be forgiven for thinking that some bright spark would have waken-up one day and said

“Hey we could use electronic banking or BPay to help stream line the passport visa payment system”. WOW what a good idea. It’s not
that hard to set up. Every other department does it.

No, it’s not that straight forward, that would be too efficient and someone like the cashier or our Consulate staff might lose their job.

Adding insult to injury:

The irony of it all when I enquired about the method of payment the Passport Office will use to refund me the Voc tax - That’s right I am entitled to a refund because my passport was recovered but I still have to pay the tax in order for the government to refund me - the Moscow Consulate told me that refund payment would be made direct to my bank account.

This is like something straight out of a “Yes Minister” script
I kid you not.

Recommendation to the responsible Minister, Alex Downer:

It would take you less then one day to fix this problem “Setup a bank account and or a BPay account". This account could be used for payment of all department fees.

Electronic Banking is efficient, straight forward and provides a readily accountable and efficient payment option. Why make it difficult for your clients. Payment could be made instantly on line or via telephone banking.

Show some leadership and take action. Your the one responsible.

Design, Security and Quality of the Australian Passport Office Online Passport System

Request for Minster to publish the system certification and review documentation on the design, security and quality control of the Australian Passport Office - Online Passport System

The design, security and quality of Australia’s Online Passport system has little to be desired.

It would have to rate as one of the most poorly designed and unprofessional internet sites in existence.

Not sure but we think it was designed by an in-house junior member of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - IT Department. (Maybe it was a contract given to John Howard’s son or a friend of the family).

It certainly does not meet industry standards and would not have passed a serious quality control process.

There are serious questions related to the security and functionality of the site.

Issues related to the design:

When filling on the numerous questions asked in the online application system it asks you for the your mothers maiden name and immediately below the date of expiration. At first I thought they meant the date of expiration of my mother but later realised they meant the date of expiration of the passport. This is one example only. The whole concept and its deployment needs professional review.

Issues related to Data Quality:

The Passport Office lists “Ukraine” as being “Ukrainian SSR”.

Ukraine declared independence from Russia over 14 years ago back in 1991.

It is no longer a Soviet Socialist Republic.

Maybe Alexander Downer and his staff are unaware of this fact. Either-way it does raise concern as to the extent of data quality attached to the system.

Issues related to Security:

Any person with basic information and the passport holder’s mother’s maiden name can log on and cancel an existing passport by reporting a passport lost or stolen without the consent of knowledge of the current passport holder. (See previous post below)

The automated passport application questionnaire in use does not support situations where a passport has been reported lost or stolen but later recovered preventing the user from completing the online application form.

Once a passport is reported stolen the online application system requires details and information related to the applicant’s birth certificate or citizen certificate.

If you are renewing your existing passport this information is not required. If your passport is reported lost and stolen and later recovered your passport can be used as a means of establishing your entitlement to be issued an Australian passport, the Online system does not take this situation into account.

Online Application Status Tracker: http://www.passports.gov.au/Web/Appl/MyApplication.aspx

Day 8 and still no response from the Online support team. (This is not a good service)

When seeking to use the Online Passport Application status monitoring system and you wish to obtain and apply for a PIN (Personal Identification Number) in order to access the Online Application Status tracker, the user is prevented from obtaining access to the system if they enter in incorrect information. Information that may not have been provided or had been incorrectly recorded on the passport system database.

Whilst this represents some form of security control to access this function if a person can not gain access to the system or are locked out of the system there is no clear indication as to who to contact or how to go about securing valid access to the system.

Login for Existing Application

The maximum number of login attempts has been exceeded and your access has been denied. If you require further information please contact the Australian Passport Information Service (APIS) on telephone 131 232 (from anywhere in Australia). If you are outside Australia you will need to contact the nearest Australian diplomatic or consular mission.

Reference is made to contacting your nearest Australian consulate or mission. When you contact the mission of consulate they are unable to assist as they are not responsible for the management of the online system.

When you try accessing the feedback information help managed by Centre Clink in Tasmania they refer you back to the local consulate or mission.

Clearly this needs review. When reviewing this system four days had passed and numerous emails letters and feed-backs later and still no response or resolution of the problems identified was forthcoming.

Further review of the Online Application Status system could not be performed as access to the system is still unavailable.


Professional Standards:

The onus is now on the Minister, Alexander Downer, to ensure that the Australian Passport Online system, as currently in use, meets industry standards in design, security, data quality and performance.

The OC is an experienced IT Systems Analyst and clearly this system does not meet expectations or Industry standards.

The Online Passport System needs to undergo a proper and professional review assessment and certification process.

The details of any review and certification report must be published and made available for public assessment.

Australian citizens and passport holders need to be reassured that the system is place is secure, functional and reliable. It certainly can not be left operating in its current state.

Until the Minister can fulfil these requirements and reassure the public the Online Service should be withdrawn or limited to being a repository reference library for information and the downloading of required documents and administrative forms.

It would be interesting also if the Minister published the costs and budget for developing and supporting this system. Somehow I do not think he will release that information willingly :)

Additional comments on the quality and the design of the Australian Passports Online system is welcomed.

Counter-productive penalty tax or being a victim of a crime

The Federal Government and it's Minister, Alex Downer, have implemented one of the most stupid and offensive taxes around.

The decision to impose a penalty for a lost or stolen passport is in my view one of the most stupid bureaucratic counter-productive ideas ever adopted by the Federal Government and the responsible Minister, Alex Downer.

I know Alex has many stupid ideas but this one takes the cake.

Alex and his under band of bureaucrats seek to
victimise someone for being a victim of a crime.

If your passport is lost or stolen under the new rules introduced by Alex Downer you now have to pay an additional penalty in the case of a theft for being a victim of a crime and not taking enough steps to protect your passport.

This penalty increases exponentially should you be a repeat victim of a crime over a five year period.

The Government claims it is to add value to the passport so passport holders will value it more and as such you will not lose it.

As if a person wants to be a victim of a crime and
lose their passport.

A passport is a valuable document. If you are travelling overseas you can not move without it.

You can not travel to and from another country, book into a hotel sign agreements or contracts hire a car etc...

As if someone would want to lose their passport or
be careless in losing it or cause it to be stolen.

The fee imposed does nothing but provide a disincentive to reporting your passport lost or stolen, as such it undermines the security and integrity of the Australian passport System

Imposing a fee on someone who has been a victim of a crime is unjust and contrary to Australia's obligation under international law and the UN convention "Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power" http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/h_comp49.htm

If your passport is reported lost or stolen your current passport is cancelled and you will need to apply for a new one. You may have eight years or more to go on your old passport but you still need to pay the full cost of a new passport.

If your passport is later found and recovered by the police the next day, which is often the case, you can apply for a refund but you still occur considerable economic loss as your existing passport can not be reactivated and you need to go to the trouble of applying for a new passport and replacing any visas you may have.

So why is this fee being charged?

The Government is not really trying to add value to the system, it certainly is not trying to encourage passport holders to report the loss or theft of a passport by applying a penalty!

It is about milking money from the insurance companies.

If you do not have household or travel insurance you can apply to the Minister for a refund of this stupid counter-productive penalty. Forget about the fact that the cost burden is transferred to the public via increases in insurance premiums or that the penalty seriously undermines the integrity and security of Australia's Passport System.

What's important here security or extracting a few extra dollars from the insurance companies and the general public.

Passport holders should be encouraged to report the loss or theft of their passport not penalised.
Even if you manage to get a refund the penalty still applies in that if you lose your passport a second time the penalty increases each time providing yet again further disincentive not to report immediately the loss or theft of a passport.

You would be a ill-advised to report the lose of theft immediately particularly if there is a chance that it will be recovered by the police and if you do report the lose or theft you will cop a fine from the Government no matter what.

(See previous post - Reporting your passport Lost or Stolen)

If your passport is found and recovered within three months you are entitled to a refund of the penalty imposed. You will still have to pay the penalty, you have no choice if you want or need a new passport. The penalty has to be paid so they can refund later. Don’t expect the money to be repaid in a hurry though It takes time for the government to process your application for a refund. If your lucky maybe in three or four months.

The best option: The Government should scrap this offensive unjust fee and encourage Australians to report the loss and theft of their passport without any penalty.
What is more important integrity and security of Australia's passport system or the opportunistic fund raising stupidity of the Minister who is a sleep at the wheel...

Minster's statement of June 2005 prior to the introduction of this offensive and unjust fee is false and misleading.

In June 2005 the Minister announced that the penalty imposed for first time victims of crime and those who had lost their passports would be $50.00. Come October 2005, less then four months since the new tax come into existence, the tax imposed for a lost/stolen passport has increased by up to 14% and is now $57.00 (This exceeds the cost of inflation by a factor of 6).

If Australia's passport system was one of the most secure in the world then why put the security of the passports system at risk by providing a disincentive to report passports lost or stolen passports.

Why penalise someone who has been a victim of a crime?

Losing your passport whilst in Australia is one thing but a completely different circumstances apply when travelling overseas. Many of the consulate staff have not been trained or authorised to handle and administer the new passport application system.

In countries where the consulate services are non existing the problems associated with obtaining a new replacement passport increases significantly. In spite the availability of the internet, video conferencing and electronic documents transfer technology, all which could be used to help provide an effective and efficient service, this technology has not been deployed or provided.

Millions of dollars could be saved if the Minister approved the utilisation of electronic document transfer and video conferencing technology. Specialist staff that had the proper training could then perform the necessary tasks, interviews and identity checks remotely reducing the number of staff that had to be trained and deployed around the world.

In stead of being efficient the system has become a nightmare, ineffective and over bureaucratic.

Passports Overboard

The Minister continues to mislead the public by stateing false facts and not providing the true picture.

The Government, based on its own statistics, hopes to extract from the Insurance companies over $1,500,000.00 the cost of which will inevitably be paid for in the form of increased insurance premiums.

The application of the lost/stolen penalty tax is unfair unjust, counter-productive and fails to deliver on the stated aims and objectives as falsely claimed by the Minister.

Alex stop and think about it - You would be better off showing leadership and rational thought by putting the interests of Australia ahead of the stupidity of your bureaucratic department.

Provide an incentive to report lost or stolen passports as opposed to discouraging reporting lost/stolen passports.

Put an end to the victimisation of victims of crime and help protect the integrity and security of Australia's passport system.

Online cancellation of passports - (Inadequate security)

Notifing the Australian Government of the loss or theft of a passport
- Online System open to abuse



The Australian Passports Act 2005 requires that you notify the Australian Government as soon as practical of the loss of theft of your passport.

Clearly the reporting of a lost/stolen passport is in the interest of maintaining security and integrity of the Australian Passport System.

BUT BE WARNED: Once your passport is reported lost your passport will be cancelled and this opens up a whole can of worms including the fact that you will occur a penalty for having your passport lost of stolen (More on that later).

Often when a passport is stolen it is not the passport the thief is after but money and valuables. On many occasions the passport is discarded and sometimes handed in to nearby railway staff hotels or even the local police.

THINK TWICE: If your passport is later found, which is often the case, and returned to you by the local police or someone else you will not be able to reverse the cancellation.

You will still need to apply for a new passport and renew any visas and other related documents. Your existing passport is no longer valid.

Most passports that are recovered are done so within seven to ten days of the loss/theft. You need to not only contact the local embassy but also the local police station. Do not rely on the police contacting the Australian consulate they often will note.

OPTIONS: You are required to notify the Australian Consulate or Passports Office, but when and how is open to debate. The Passports Act 2005 states that it must be as soon as practical. It is a question of what is practical.

WARNING: DO NOT USE THE ONLINE LOST/STOLEN PASSPORT SERVICE

You should certainly think twice and consider avoiding the use the Online Passport Reporting system.

Send in the notification of the theft/loss of your passport with your application form that way if your passport is recovered within the time it takes to complete and forward your application you may be able to contact the consulate staff and have them withdraw the report/application before processing.

If you use the online system then the cancellation will occur immediately with or without your consent and you will not be able to reactivate your passport and the lost/stolen passport penalty will apply..

If you have time you can post your notification by mail back to Australia or you can address the letter to the Australian Consulate in the country you are currently in without completing the full details of the consulates address. On all accounts you would have fulfilled your obligations in notify the Australian Government depending on your circumstances. If in doubt seek legal advice.

http://www.passports.gov.au/Web/renewal/lost_stolen.aspx


THE ONLINE PASSPORT CANCELLATION SYSTEM IS OPEN TO ABUSE AND SERIOUSLY LACKS PROPER SECURITY:

Anyone with basic information related to your current passport can logon to the Australian Governments Online Passport System and cancel your existing passport without confirmation or your consent.

The information required to cancel your passport is readily available to spouses, family friends, business partners and associates. All you need is your passport details and your mothers maiden name

This flaw in the system seriously undermines the integrity and security of the Australian Passport system and opens the whole system up to abuse.

What better way then for an aggrieved person to log on to the Government’s Online Passport site from a public library or internet club and anonymously cancel a person’s passport whilst they are overseas. You do not have to think hard to realise the problems associated with this occurring.

PASSPORT APPLICATION FORM:

If you can not get hold of a new passport application from your local consulate/passport office you can down load on from the Online Passport internet site. Again be careful and avoid using the notification of a lost/stolen passport option. If need be you can fill that part in later when you are about to sign and send in the application.

NEED FOR REFORM:

The OC would prefer to advise anyone that is a victim of a crime or loses their passport to notify the relevant authorities immediately, however given the practicalities of the situation and the stupid policy of the Australian Government which seeks to discourage the reporting of a lost/stolen passport by providing disincentives in the form of unjust penalties and inflexible policy you should consider carefully the consequences and alternatives that are open to you.

Hopefully the Government will realise that it's policies are stupid and counter productive and only undermine the security and integrity of the Australian Passport System and review the current system and cancel the disincentives to reporting a lost or stolen passport.

SAVE A PENNY LOOSE A POUND:

Whats more important the security of Australia or the stupidity of some bureaucrat who has sort to come up with a scheme to extract money from the insurance companies and the travelling public. Australia's security must and should come first.

Continued …

You need a birth certificate

PLANNING AN OVERSEAS TRIP

THIS CHRISTMAS OR IN THE NEW YEAR?

DO NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR YOUR CITIZEN CERTIFICATE, YOUR FILING CABINET AND YOUR CREDIT CARD

If you are planning on a holiday overseas this summer do not leave home without your passport and an original copy of your birth certificate proof of citizenship.

If you are unfortunate to lose your passport of have it stolen whilst overseas the Australian Government will require you to provide a birth certificate or proof of citizenship.

Why you may ask, did I not supply this information to the Australian Passports Office when I first applied for a passport?

- This is a good question that can not be properly answered.

Under the provisions of the Passports Act 2005 the Minister (That's right Alex Downer) needs to be satisfied that you are entitled to a passport.

That sounds fair BUT I already have a passport, well up to the point when it was lost or stolen. I still fail to see why I need to provide a copy of my birth certificate for God's sake. How does that help identify me? It has no photograph or biometric or DNA information?. Is this information not already on file and recorded by the Passport Office? How did I get my passport in the first place without this information?

- True and it is something I can not answer it does not make sense and yes it is inconsistent. If you have your passport, your passport can be renewed using your passport and one other form of identification such as a valid drivers licence.

I have my licence but my passport was lost/stolen.

- Well in that case you need a copy of your birth or citizenship certificate.

Uhhh I do not carry my birth certificate around with me and I still fail to see why I need to provide the passport office with a birth certificate when I have all my passport details, I have a copy, and I have already provided the passport office with a copy of my birth certificate and proof of entitlement when I first applied for a passport. Is this not on record on your database? What sought of system are you running?

- It is so we can determine your entitlement to a new passport.

BUT I already had one... I just want a new replacement passport as my current passport was lost/stolen and I am overseas without a valid passport! I can not move or do anything without it.

- I am sorry we can not help you without your birth certificate or proof of entitlement and proper identification, these are the rules.

I have identification I just do not have my birth certificate. I am overseas!!! %^&*(%

- You can arrange for someone to obtain a copy back in Australia or you can contact the birth certificates office to arrange for them to send you an original copy... for the cost of a service charge.

Ahh So the system is not about efficiency and proper security its about wasting valuable resources and time - designed to generate useless work and employment for government officials that have no other system in place and nothing else to do. They can not look up the details and information already provided with my original application and presumably already recorded on the passports Office database!! Hmmm..

You do maintain records and the original application don't you?

- I am sorry we can not help you without a birth certificate or proof of your citizenship. Do you have your passport with you that will help?


... To be continued ..

Thank God he is not Prime Minister.

ABOUT THIS BLOG:

This blog aims to highlight some of the bureaucratic stupidity and inefficiencies that apply to Australia's Passport System and its online service and the responsible Minister, Alex Downer's, failure to address them.

It's aim is to expose the flaws and ineffiencies of the current system in the hope that they will be reviewed by the Minsiter without delay.

Whilst the minister baths in self adulation, problems and ineffeciencies associated with his own department go unaddressed.

If Alex Downer can not manage the affairs of his own portfiolio and ensure that his department is run effectivly and efficently how can he manage and the issues of concerns and the need for reform if Australia's industrial relations system.

He is after all a Cabinet Minister. Thats right a Cabinet Minister, Time to be scared folks.

When will the Liberal party cease allocating the Foreign Affairs portfollio as some sort of consulation prise to those that lost the top job.

Remember Andrew Peacock... Soon moved on by being offered the job of US ambassador.

Other sub-topics to be discussed include:

• You need a birth certificate - (Bureaucratic stupidity and inefficient systems)
• Contacting your local consulate - (Lack of staff training and proper information)
• Online cancellation of passports - (Inadequate security)
• Payment of your application fee - (Electronic Banking)
• Penalty for being a victim of a crime - (Undermining the integrity and security of our passport system)
• Accessing information on online - (Poor quaility control in the software development and system deployment)
• Obtaining answers to your questions - (Centre Link - hopeless service providers)
• Delivery and dispatch of your new passport - (Further inefficency in the overall system)
• The E-Passport - (Alternative options that could be deployed today without the expense of new technology)
• A need to review the deployment and location of Australia's Diplomatic Missions (Rationalisation of embassies in Europe and the establishment of proper consualte services in other countries - An end to the cushy tax-funded jobs for the boys strutting the diplomatic stage)
  

We welcome your feedback and discussion

Downer's Travels