From ASIOs 2011-12 annual report.
http://www.asio.gov.au/img/files/ASI...-12_part-2.pdf
Counter-terrorism security assessments
Counter-terrorism security assessments are conducted to assess the suitability of a person on counter-terrorism grounds to access areas or materials that are restricted, such as Australia’s air and maritime ports, other security sensitive facilities, access to dangerous goods or accreditation to special events. Requests for counter-terrorism security assessments are received by ASIO from AusCheck and the Australian Federal Police, with the vast majority requested by AusCheck for aviation and maritime security identification cards.
In 2011–12, ASIO completed 153,644 counter-terrorism security assessments, a 40 per cent increase on those completed for 2010–11. No adverse or qualified counter-terrorism security assessments were issued in 2011–12.
If, as a citizen, you haven't come to the attention of any criminal investigatory agencies then there are no electronic records hence ASIO can't really issue an 'adverse finding'.
I mean, ASIO is
not going to interview your co-workers, friends, referees, etc, for a crappy ASIC card.
The main purpose of the biennial expiry is to not allow perpetual trust to exist., but with a simple change to the system the current 'security' level could still be maintained and we would undergo less crap and expense and (dare one hope) the ASIC could become used as an identity document.
The change is that ASICs are automatically re-issued
unless ASIO has determined in its' regular trawls through the various criminal databases that the recipient is of concern to them.