The Department of Parliamentary Services has admitted that 5000 people are not being screened as they enter Parliament House and that building occupants now face higher risks because of a reduction in security procedures.
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And the 12-month trial of the controversial security arrangements that began two weeks ago could be dropped as soon as July depending on feedback from building occupants.
Earlier this week Senator Bill Heffernan smuggled a replica pipe bomb into a Senate estimates hearing to demonstrate what he said was an elevated risk to building occupants due to cost cutting.
The 12 month trial, which began earlier this month, allows MPs, senators, their staff, families and friends, and federal departmental workers to enter without a routine security screening.
Journalists, diplomats, contractors and members of the public are still subject to airport style security checks, including metal detection and bag screening.
In an email to the entire press gallery, gallery president David Speers said Department of Parliamentary Services first assistant secretary Neil Skill told the press gallery committee there had been no change to the threat assessment for Parliament House.
"But these changes [to security] do mean a somewhat higher risk for building occupants," Mr Speers wrote.
"This decision hasn't been driven “primarily” by saving money. It's apparently about better allocating resources. An external assessment has found the greater threat is posed by members of the public coming through the front doors. So they're shifting more resources into mobile squads in those areas."
The trial means 54 per cent of the 10,000 or so building pass holders are no longer screened.
Mr Speers said journalists, lobbyists and diplomats still required mandatory screening as they had not had police background checks.
But “staff members are apparently “vouched for” by the MP they work for, even though they too have no background police check” he wrote.
The department has also acknowledged a greater level of consultation should have occurred with building occupants before being implemented.
In 2012 prime minister Julia Gillard was the target of a security breach when a protester managed to interrupt a media conference and approach her and minister Chris Bowen with a document. The intruder had entered Parliament House through an unattended security door at the front entrance.
