Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 2 March 2011, Senator Hanson-Young asked me a question about asylum seekers. I seek leave to incorporate in Hansard further information from the Attorney-General in response to that question.

Leave granted.

The additional information read as follows—

• ASIO’s priority and responsibility is to ensure that Australia’s security is not compromised. Security assessments must therefore be thorough.
• The Attorney-General is not aware of the specific advice (from the Immigration Department to ASI0) to which the Senator referred.
• I can confirm that there is no ‘time limit’ for the provision of ASIO security assessments in respect of irregular maritime arrivals.
• ASIO regularly reviews and revises the allocation of resources to security assessment, as required.
• ASIO works closely with DIAC on the visa security assessment caseload. ASIO relies on DIAC to prioritise the caseload.
• ASIO also works closely with DIAC and other agencies to achieve maximum processing efficiencies and effectiveness, and achieve whole-of-government outcomes.
• Processing times vary in accordance with several variables, including:
• the circumstances of each individual case;
• the size and complexity of this caseload; and
• external factors beyond ASIO’s control (eg Christmas Island infrastructure, other agency priorities and processes).
• In conducting its assessments, ASIO carefully balances security considerations with facilitating the timely provision of assessments.