Anyone know the actual details?
Not first hand and it was a while ago, but only certain types of criminal convictions preclude a person from holding an ASIC. Their convictions may not have fallen under that umbrella. There are a number of ASIC holders with 'minor' convictions for theft, assault etc. YJPT's link has the list of offences.
I have a vague recollection of the incident you mention, and that there were some Sydney baggies given ASICs when they shouldn't have been but I can't remember the gory details. It was around the time of the Wheeler Report fallout.
As for the ASIO assessment, from the Aviation Transport Security Regulations (online at austlii):
REG 6.31
Persons the subject of qualified security assessments
(1) This regulation applies if a
security assessment of a person is a qualified
security assessment.
(2) If the Secretary is satisfied that the holding of an
ASIC by the person would not constitute a threat to aviation security, the Secretary must give the
issuing body a written notice stating that an
ASIC may be
issued because the person is not a threat to aviation security.
(3) If the Secretary is satisfied that the holding of an
ASIC by the person would constitute a threat to aviation security the Secretary must give the
issuing body a written direction not to
issue the
ASIC to the person.
(4) The Secretary must give the person a notice stating that the Secretary has given the
issuing body a notice under subregulation (2) or a direction under subregulation (3).
(5) An
issuing body must not
issue an
ASIC to a person in contravention of a direction under subregulation (3).
Penalty: 20
penalty units.
(6) In this regulation:
" qualified security assessment " has the same meaning as in Part IV of the
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 .
Note For a person's notification and review rights in relation to a
security assessment -- see the
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 , section 38.
Spook recroot is at
ASIO Careers - Asio Careers - Intelligence Officer. Make sure you keep us posted on every detail, every step of the way. Remember to wear a white dinner jacket to the interview and tell 'em you like vodka martinis
.