IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP PORTFOLIO
(120) Program 3.1: Border Management

Senator Ludlam asked:
(1) What is the current number of Full Time Equivalent staff working in the War Crimes Screening Unit?

(2) What was the highest number of staff employed by the Unit, and when was that?

Answer:
(1) There are currently five staff working in the War Crimes Screening Unit. An additional two staff are working in another section developing profiles to assist processing staff in identifying whether a case is of war crimes concern or not.

(2) The highest number of staff employed in the Unit was 11 in February 2008. Since then, progressive enhancements to departmental systems, implemented in line with Australia's strong border controls, has provided efficiencies, including in staffing requirements.