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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT
When I commenced as the CEO of the Office of the MARA, it was clear that setting up the office would be a major change program requiring considerable planning.
I am very proud of the efforts of all of the officers who ensured that the transition was smooth. Both former MARA personnel and new recruits to the Office of the MARA showed great teamwork in putting everything in place for a successful first year.
Probity
The prudence in ensuring that probity issues were dealt with through an independent and credible framework was extremely helpful. To have someone as eminent as Sir Laurence Street AC endorse our probity framework is very encouraging.
Strengthening the profession
The integrity of the migration agent profession is vitally important. Registered migration agents deal with clients who are often vulnerable, in complex situations and require expert advice.
As a regulator, we need to be responsive to the diversity of our client base. Registered migration agents vary, from those with a long history to those who are very new to the profession, and from sole operators to those in large firms.
We deal with those who are at the pinnacle of best practice and ethical behaviour as well as those who are providing inadequate services to their clients or engaging in unethical and, at times, unlawful behaviour.
Stakeholder engagement
We value the role that our key stakeholders play in working with us to lift the standard of the profession.
We had regular meetings with peak bodies, and welcomed the opportunity to speak at key conferences, including the Migration Institute of Australia’s National Conference and the Law Council of Australia’s 2010 Immigration Law Conference.
In all, we have had over 50 meetings with stakeholders, most of which the Deputy CEO or myself attended.
In my first weeks as the CEO, I wrote to all registered migration agents and have kept up a personal dialogue through the CEO’s newsletter and direct liaison.
Communications strategy
Our communications strategy provides relevant and consistent key messages for consumers and registered migration agents.
The YouTube video entitled Don’t Get Caught Out was a useful platform to promote the use of our website to verify that those purporting to give migration advice in Australia are registered agents.
Advisory Board
My deep thanks go to the Office of the MARA advisory board, which has provided me with wise advice throughout the year.
The Chairman, Mr Robert Cornall AO has set a high standard in leading the advisory board and establishing a solid forward program.
I have also appreciated the work of individual members such as Ms Sonia Caton, who took an invaluable role in the pro bono forum organised by the Office of the MARA.
I very much look forward to building on the solid framework we have established in the past year, to take forward a strong program of reform in co-operation with stakeholders.
Ms Christine Sykes
Chief Executive Officer
