Public service, ministerial office vetting backlog

A worrying number of would-be staffers wanting to work for federal ministers have failed high-level security checks, as concerns grow about how the government handles insider threats.

Two staffers wanting to work for federal ministers failed high-level security checks.

The revelation comes as concerns grow about how the government handles insider threats.

The Herald Sun can reveal more than 90 public servants — or people pegged for jobs in the Australian Public Service — have been denied security clearances in the past four years.

The vetting process, aimed at catching foreign spies and people vulnerable to blackmail and coercion, has been criticised over a backlog of cases, delays of more than a year and the use of private contractors.

It comes as ministerial staff regularly work in their jobs for months while their security assessments take place.

The average wait time for the highest clearance level, known as “positive vetting”, was last year almost 15 months.

Australian National University strategic defence expert Ron Huisken said the threat of foreign agents infiltrating the public service had always been an issue, but the risks had changed over time.

Sexual history, finances, drug use, overseas travel and acquaintances are all probed as part of the secret security checks by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA).

Two ministerial staffers were denied clearances between 2015-16 and 2018-19, a document obtained under Freedom of Information reveals.

In the same period, at least 93 public servants failed vetting assessments and their security clearances were denied, downgraded or revoked.

A government spokesman said departments had procedures in place until the vetting process was completed, including limited access to networks and materials.

“It is a condition of employment for ministerial staff to obtain and maintain a relevant security clearance,” he said.

The Auditor-General last year raised concerns the AGSVA was not sharing information on the risks to government organisations outside the Department of Defence.

Despite nearly all clearances being granted without “additional risk mitigation” conditions in 2015-16 and 2016-17, “potential security concerns” came up in 43 per cent of vetting assessments.

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A Defence spokesman said it was now working with the Attorney-General’s Department to reduce insider threats, including sharing information on security risks “while ensuring sensitive personal information is protected”.

Australian National University strategic defence expert Ron Huisken said the threat of foreign agents infiltrating the public service had always been an issue, but the risks had changed over time.

“Everything is electronic now, it’s a rich source of information for intelligence collection,” Dr Huisken said.

@Gallo_Ways