March 20, 2008 | Sex & Society

Labor asks, wants staff to tell

Any Australian Labor government staffer requiring high level security clearance for their position is now being asked about any homosexual experiences they may have had. The reason? To limit potential blackmail attempts on government workers.

The document is 25-pages long and not only asks about gay liaisons, but also about a person's personal finances, any drug habits and other sexual secrets. A face to face interview follows the questionnaire, and friends will be grilled as to the veracity of any answers.

“In the interview process, they ask you about your sexual orientation and whether you’ve ever had a homosexual experience,” an Australian Federal Police source admitted. “They ask you how many sexual partners you’ve had, whether you’ve cheated on your wife and about your sexual habits.”

A spokesperson for the Special Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary admitted the process was intrusive, but argued it was necessary. “We are not targeting the gay and lesbian community but we have to look at what makes people vulnerable to blackmail from outside sources." 

He then said,  “I have to add that the public service has a ban on sexual discrimination.” Oh, we feel so much better now...