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Labor government staff are being quizzed over their homosexual histories via a survey designed to grant high level security clearance to Minister’s aides and others.
Over 300 ministerial and electorate staffers are being forced to complete a 25-page document that asks them to detail their personal finances, drug habits and sexual history.
Staff are also required to attend an in-depth interview, and have been told the information will be cross-checked via friends and sources.
An Australian Federal Police source confirmed the clearance process to The Sunday Telegraph.
“In the interview process, they ask you about your sexual orientation and whether you’ve ever had a homosexual experience,” he said.
“They ask you how many sexual partners you’ve had, whether you’ve cheated on your wife and about your sexual habits.”
Senior staff have been told the security form is designed to protect them from blackmail.
It is reported that some ministerial staff are finding the questioning intrusive.
“It’s is an intrusive process,” Colin Campbell, spokesperson for John Faulkner, the Special Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary, told Queensland Pride.
“We are not targeting the gay and lesbian community but we have to look at what makes people vulnerable to blackmail from outside sources."
They are asked about gambling habits, drug use and if they have been unfaithful.
They have to detail all their personal history to get top security clearance.
The information is looked at by the federal police and security agencies.
“I have to add that the public service has a ban on sexual discrimination.”
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