NOT US SAYS CUSTOMS

Latest News

Thursday, 27 July 2006

Australian Customs has confirmed it does not carry out or control Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) background checks on all airport employees, contrary to claims reported in a Sydney newspaper today.

A spokesperson said background checks to enable staff working at airports to receive an ASIC, which is necessary for their employment, involved three stages these include: An Australian Federal Police (AFP) criminal history check; An Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) assessment, and A Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) citizenship check.

"Customs does not carry out these checks,” said the spokesperson.
"The report in today's Sydney Daily Telegraph is therefore wrong.

"The newspaper did not check this claim with Customs before publishing."
The spokesman said Customs also did not issue ASIC cards to airlines or any other commercial operations involved in the aviation industry.

"Customs is the issuing authority for ASICs for Australian Government employees only," he said.