http://www.theage.com.au/news/commonwealth-games/terror-flaw-in-security-for -games/2006/02/08/1139379573210.html
Terror flaw in security for Games By Ian Munro February 9, 2006 Related coverage * DOCUMENTS Security <http://www.theage.com.au/ed_docs/vicpolsecdoc.pdf> intelligence group VICTORIA'S private security industry is vulnerable to infiltration by Muslim terrorists, police experts have warned. Attempts to check the background of foreign nationals applying for licences to work as security guards are "of extremely limited value" because there are no probity checks made in the applicants' countries of origin, according to a Victoria Police security intelligence group report obtained by The Age. The report was prepared after police noticed that many foreign nationals, particularly foreign students, were finding work as security guards. It describes the inability to probe applicants' backgrounds as a "serious flaw" in the industry. Private security guards are central to security arrangements for the Commonwealth Games. While senior police commanders have promised that Games venues will have saturation police presence, an estimated 5000 private security staff will provide additional cover. Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Joy, of the security intelligence group, noted that the risk of someone with terrorist links obtaining a security licence was "very real". "It is doubtful any meaningful probity checks could be conducted in some countries," Senior Sergeant Joy noted when forwarding the report to senior officers. The security intelligence group's role is to gather information to prevent acts or threats of violence, terrorism and intimidation. The report is believed to have been passed on to the Victoria Police licensing branch and the counter-terrorist co-ordination unit. It concluded that any application for a security guard licence by a visiting foreign national should be subject to "the closest scrutiny, far more than is the current practice". But it also suggested that foreign nationals should not be employed as security guards. "A large number of those foreign nationals identified are from the Middle East or Pakistan, the homeland of many Islamic terrorist groups," said the report, which was prepared by a member of the security intelligence group in May 2004 and obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. "A foreign national could well be linked to an extremist/terrorist group in his homeland, and several weeks later be employed in Victoria as a security guard in a position of trust, possibly at a vital infrastructure establishment. "Provided the foreign national has a work permit and can satisfy the standard 100-point identity check, he is free to attend an eight-day security guard course, and if passed, gain a security guard licence and seek employment in the security industry." Responding to the report, a Victoria Police spokesman said an extra level of checking by ASIO applied to people seeking accreditation for Games security. He said anyone entering Australia must satisfy strict Government security requirements. "Any person who is a foreign national must have a current visa with appropriate work rights. Victoria Police makes further checks with the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to confirm an applicant's visa status and right to work in Australia. "Persons in Victoria who apply for a security licence must undergo a criminal records check. This includes a search of the national database.Victoria Police is confident that this multi-layered system is effective in identifying any person who may pose a security risk." It is not known how many foreign nationals hold security licences. Games security is managed by Victoria Police and the Australian Defence Force. A source with Melbourne 2006 said the Games' 55,000 workforce had received security clearances from ASIO. Islamic Council of Victoria president Malcolm Thomas said he did not believe the report unfairly singled out Muslims. "We as a country have the right to scrutinise anyone who comes to our country, particularly where they are in a position where they have access to certain places or certain equipment," Mr Thomas said. The report said there was evidence of terrorist infiltration of security services overseas, citing an attack on a Saudi Arabian oil refinery by guards who proved to be linked with a terrorist group. FAIR USE NOTICE: All original content and/or articles and graphics in this message are copyrighted, unless specifically noted otherwise. All rights to these copyrighted items are reserved. 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