Senate Select Committee Report In Final Stages

It has been more than a year since the Senate Special Select Committee ended its inquiry into the findings of the Auditor General’s Special Audit Report of the Immigration and Nationality Department 2011-2013. The committee questioned numerous witnesses who testified for hours of key witnesses and government officials as it delved into what was taking place at the Immigration Department. They also have the task of reviewing thousands of pages of transcription.  According to Chairman of the committee, Senator Aldo Salazar, the committee is only able to make recommendations as it will be the responsibility of the relevant authorities to take the necessary actions. He says that the report is in its final draft.

Senator Aldo Salazar, Chair, Senate Special Select Committee

Aldo Salazar

“The good news is that we are having some progress. We had some information that was pending for quite some time. We have had it and we having been taking steps to finalize the draft.  I am hopeful that the part that I can speak about in terms of myself looking at another six to eight weeks I think. That does not mean that the public will get it at that point. But that is what I am thinking. The Senate has no power to prosecute anybody or even to suggest that somebody be prosecuted or to specify anybody should be prosecuted. That is my own personal opinion. Other senators might feel differently. I am not saying that they do but that is just my personal view. The Senate Select Committee has in the past already submitted information to I believe the DPP office which we asked if there is anything in there that can be prosecuted that they look at it and make a determination. It is not the senate that will determine that.”

Members of the committee who do not agree with the views expressed in the majority report can produce and submit a minority report of their own.