as posted here
As work continues on the $589 million ASIO building on Parkes Way, the spy organisation is engaging in a large-scale campaign to recruit staff to work there.
ASIO has spent more than $4.1 million in the past two financial years on advertising in an attempt to boost the agency's numbers.
But with the building designed for 1800 staff, ASIO has launched another recruitment drive.
The money spent in 2008-09 on advertising was almost $200,000 less than the previous year, with the campaign geared largely to online, electronic, outdoor, radio and industry-specific publications.
In the organisation's annual report, the advertising is credited with generating more than 12,500 applications.
In line with the large number of applications, numbers at the agency grew by 13 per cent to 1690 staff.
The current recruitment drive is aimed at adding more than 100 staff before the completion of the Parkes Way headquarters.
The number of full-time staff has grow by 110 per cent in the past four years.
The ASIO annual report mentions some local backlash to the proposed five-storey building, noting community concern over whether the planning process had been followed.
It says the National Capital Authority's confirmation approval was given in line with the National Capital Plan.
Costs for the Campbell project have been revised twice. The Department of Finance confirmed the budget was boosted last November by $146.2 million, raising the cost to $606.2 million. It has since been revised back to $589 million.
as posted here
