BuzzFeed News revealed in May that officers were forced test white powder mailed to prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's office in Parliament House while wearing $6.94 disposable painting overalls from Bunnings Warehouse.



Instead of following the Parliament House security manual’s “response to white powder detection” procedure and calling the ACT Fire & Rescue Hazardous Material team, officers from the building's loading dock were sent to test the powder.

Security staff told BuzzFeed News they haven't been formally trained in how to operate the mobile testing device used to determine whether powder was hazardous, and despite a $126 million security upgrade currently underway in Parliament House, they are under-equipped to do their jobs.

In the weeks since BuzzFeed News broke this story, whistleblowers say there has been no improvement to safety or training provided.

Staff say their concerns are being ignored by management within the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) and the Security Branch (also known as the Department of Security Services, DSS).

They feel they have been given no option but to refuse to conduct white powder testing until they receive adequate training and equipment.

"Nothing has changed," a security source said. "Some guys down in the loading dock have to stand up and put their head on the chopping dock for this to be realised by managers."

In emails seen by BuzzFeed News sent to the department's supervisors, management and human resources, loading dock officers say they will no longer comply with directions to test white powder found around Parliament House, as they feel their lives are being put in danger.

"I am writing in response to a request by my Supervisor that I provide a written response as to why I do no wish to use the Hazmat Elite outside of the mailroom environment," one officer wrote.

"I do not wish to use the Hazmat Elite 'upstairs' [outside the loading dock] because I am concerned about my safety," one email reads.