Some security points at Parliament House are not properly staffed on a daily basis, a Senate committee has heard.
Labor senator Penny Wong on Monday read from advice from the parliament's security branch which said it experienced "daily instances where operational demand has exceeded available resourcing".
Senator Wong also cited details from a security briefing note for one particular day which said a number of security points were not properly staffed.
Usher of the Black Rod, Rachel Callinan, who is on the parliament's security board, told the committee the information had not been brought to her attention.
But she said if there were "ongoing and systemic" problems they would have been addressed by the board.
Ms Callinan said she had been reassured by security officials that points such as the Senate gallery chamber were appropriately staffed.
Senate President Stephen Parry told the committee he did not want the public to be given the impression there were gaps in security.
"Critical points would always be covered to ensure Parliament House is secure," he said.
The committee earlier heard there were no plans to extend the ministerial wing, despite a proposal put by former prime minister Tony Abbott.
However Senator Parry declined to release Mr Abbott's 2015 letter.
Department of Parliamentary Services official Paul Cooper told the committee 50 full-time security personnel had been recruited over the past year, including 15 who moved from casual to permanent work.
Funding was available for a further 36 staff and recruitment was under way, he said.
Mr Cooper told the committee two more recruitment rounds would "almost see us full".
He said security had not been compromised as a result of staffing levels.
"We are managing it to a point where we haven't had a security compromise," he said.
Senate President Stephen Parry said gaps in the security roster were "a concern" and he would be seeking clarification on how the gaps are filled on a daily basis.
"But I believe the building is secure," he said.
He said there was also a capacity for a "surge" response to major security incidents.
Share
