Security upgrade for airports

Date: 07/06/2005
Source: Lateline
Author: Dana Robertson

TONY JONES: Security at the nation's airports is again to be upgraded, but this time the focus isn't on terrorism. Behind the scenes, airport workers will now have to pass a police check for any past criminal convictions, before they'll be issued an aviation security card. Until now, security checks had only looked at links to politically motivated crime. The Government says the change isn't because of Schapelle Corby's claim that drugs were planted in her luggage, but admits there is community concern about what happens once their bags are out of their control. Dana Robertson reports from Canberra.

DANA ROBERTSON: Just a week ago the Transport Minister was adamant that a customs report alleging drug smuggling at Sydney Airport wasn't an issue for him.

JOHN ANDERSON, TRANSPORT MINISTER: It does, in fact, raise a number of issues concerning criminality at airports. Those matters rightly fall into the responsibility of the Customs service and of the police.

DANA ROBERTSON: Yet today the Minister announced a wide-ranging review of security at the nation's airports. A British expert, Sir John Wheeler, will review all aspects of airport security, and the Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty will assess criminal activity. A senior Federal Police officer will be appointed security controller at major airports and all 65,000 holders of aviation security identification cards will be police-checked for criminal records.

JOHN ANDERSON: If the police checks pick up a pattern of criminal behaviour or a pattern of involvement with people that might be dark and murky, if I can put it that way, then we will withdraw that ASIC card.

ROBERT McCLELLAND, LABOR HOMELAND SECURITY SPOKESMAN: For the first time he's recognised that if someone can put drugs in someone's bag they can also put a bomb in someone's bag. For the first time he is recognising the overlap between potential criminal conduct and potential terrorism.

DANA ROBERTSON: The nation's 130,000 waterfront workers will also need new security identification. I think we will find a significant numbers of people with criminal backgrounds. John Anderson denies his move is in response to the Schapelle Corby case, but he recognises there is public concern.

JOHN ANDERSON: People are worried, understandably, in the community about what happens to their baggage and so forth. We are recognising that and we are responding to it - robustly.

DANA ROBERTSON: Hidden cameras will also be introduced around airports and in plane cargo holds.

PHILIP RUDDOCK, ATTORNEY-GENERAL: The principle will be that surveillance can be undertaken. There will be signage in relation to it, but it will not necessarily be required that you be able to see the cameras.

ROBERT McCLELLAND: We can't have the ridiculous situation that we've seen where you've got drug pushers literally working in these very sensitive areas.

DANA ROBERTSON: Airports and airlines will be asked to foot the bill for most of the changes and as a result, the minister accepts airfares will probably go up.

JOHN ANDERSON: I don't think people would argue with paying another buck for a ticket for further significant increases in their aviation security.

DANA ROBERTSON: The Transport Workers Union has welcomed the move to further crack down on security, but the Council for Civil Liberties says people should only lose their jobs or be barred from getting them if they've committed the most serious drug or dishonesty offences. Mr Anderson has promised past misdemeanours won't jeopardise people's jobs. Dana Robertson, Lateline.

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