Save Search
    Prev   Next   Return to results listPrint ListEmail Document Link

Title

QUESTIONS IN WRITING

Australian Security Vetting Service

Database

House Hansard

Date

10-05-2005

Source

House of Reps

Parl No.

41

Electorate

Barton

Interjector

 

Main Committee/Federation Chamber

 

Page

202

Party

ALP

Presenter

 

Status

Final

Question No.

483

Questioner

McClelland, Robert, MP

Responder

Ruddock, Philip, MP

Speaker

 

Stage

Australian Security Vetting Service

Type

 

Context

Questions in Writing

System Id

chamber/hansardr/2005-05-10/0208


Note: Where available, the PDF/Word icon below is provided to view the complete and fully formatted document
 Download Current HansardDownload Current Hansard    View Or Save XMLView/Save XML

Previous Fragment    Next Fragment
Tuesday, 10 May 2005
Page: 202


Mr McClelland asked the Attorney-General, in writing, on 8 February 2005:

(1)   How many clearance requests did the Australian Security Vetting Service (ASVS) receive from Government agencies during 2003-2004.

(2)   For 2003-2004, of the requests received, (a) how many did the ASVS complete, and (b) how many was the ASVS unable to complete.

(3)   Does the ASVS maintain a record of the reasons why it was unable to complete a clearance request; if so, what were the reasons for each failure to complete a clearance request.

(4)   Does the ASVS have a target period within which it aims to complete requests for clearances; if so, how many such requests were completed within the period during 2003-2004.


Mr Ruddock (Attorney-General) —The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

(1)   The Australian Security Vetting Service (ASVS) received 4,408 requests for security clearances in 2003-2004.

(2)   In 2003-2004, (a) the ASVS completed 3,720 cases and (b) 569 cases were cancelled. Some of the cases completed or cancelled in 2003-2004 were requested during 2002-2003. This accounts for the variation between the number of requests received in 2003-2004 and cases completed and cancelled in the same period.

(3)   The ASVS acts on the instructions of clients to cancel a security clearance.

(4)   The target period, commencing on receipt of a fully completed vetting package from the individual vettee or the client agency, is set out below.

Top Secret

12 Weeks

Highly Protected and Secret

8 Weeks

Protected and Confidential

6 Weeks
The ability of the ASVS to meet the timeframes is dependent upon a number of factors including:

  • the degree of accurate completion and submission of supporting documents by the vettee
  • the availability and degree of cooperation of the vettee in providing further information, and
  • the timeliness of responses by other organisations and persons to requests for necessary information.
  • the degree of accurate completion and submission of supporting documents by the vettee
  • the availability and degree of cooperation of the vettee in providing further information, and
  • the timeliness of responses by other organisations and persons to requests for necessary information.