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ABC News
ABC News
National
Exclusive by defence correspondent Andrew Greene

Defence struggling to process staff security clearances needed ahead of AUKUS rush

Defence insiders have told the ABC the department is facing "a massive backlog" for vetting new employees. (Defence: Kym Smith)

Australia's largest-ever military project is facing an early setback, with Defence struggling to complete mandatory security clearances for skilled staff to work on the sensitive AUKUS nuclear submarine program.

Defence insiders have told the ABC the department is facing "a massive backlog" for vetting new employees, a crucial requirement for anyone working on the highly secretive endeavour involving the United Kingdom and the United States.

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