Spies good with espionage, not paperwork
CONCERNS over the way ASIO handles its paperwork have been revealed by the spy agency’s watchdog.
Since 2008, the Inspector General of Intelligence Security has been investigating “deficiencies in record keeping” at the domestic espionage organisation.
The findings, in response to questions asked in a parliamentary committee by Liberal senator Russell Trood, are likely to worry Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd among others.
“The record-keeping deficiencies,” says the inspector Vivienne Thom, relate to “the disclosure of information to authorised foreign authorities”.
What ASIO is telling other nations is not clear, nor why paperwork is not being kept.
Senator Trood has asked Dr Thom if her office would continue to watch ASIO’s management of paperwork.
“Staff have and will continue to regularly review relevant ASIO records so that we might be satisfied that decision-making and record-keeping practices are proper and appropriate and accord with all internal policy requirements.”
The agency has declined repeatedly to comment on a security incident at its massive new headquarters building, which is being built near Parliament House.
A 19-year-old man was injured and stuck in a hole after breaching night security at the site earlier in March.