Letter to the Editor
The Kalgoorlie Miner

Dear Sir/Madam

It is unfortunate the Department of Immigration and Citizenship is being wrongly blamed for the Giants’ visa issues (Giants to miss Haney, 14/03/09).

Your journalist neglects to point out Basketball Australia lodges all sponsorship applications on behalf of clubs or that Michael Haney’s application was received by DIAC only three weeks ago.

Our advertised service standard for deciding completed applications of this type is eight weeks. Basketball Australia did not submit a complete application and further information which was requested is still outstanding.

If Mr Haney or the club has issues with the department’s handling of his visa application, I would encourage them to approach any DIAC office to discuss the situation.

Sandi Logan
National Communications Manager
Department of Immigration and Citizenship

16 March 2009