BrownHolerPoler
23rd Sep 2004, 15:29
Flaws in Airport Security
By Alexandra Smith, Mark Todd and John Garnaut
September 24, 2004
Many contract airport workers do not have air security identification cards 18 months after the Federal Government ordered ASIO to re-screen all holders for terrorist traits.
As investigations continued into the discovery of a potentially explosive device in the cargo hold of a Virgin Blue jet, it was confirmed 65,000 background checks had been completed, but not for most contractors.
The ASIO security card checks were introduced last year among several anti-terrorism measures.
Thermite, a chemical used in modern weaponry, was found on Monday wrapped in a cardboard toilet roll with a sparkler attached in the baggage hold of a Virgin flight from Maroochydore to Sydney. A Virgin baggage handler found the device in a plastic bag but did not follow procedures and carried it into the passenger screening area of Sydney Airport's Terminal 2. Virgin Blue said the Australian Protective Service was notified 15 minutes after the device was found.
An Australian Federal Police spokeswoman confirmed the incident was under investigation but could not comment further.
The Transport Workers Union senior airline official, Glenn Nightingale, said the incident highlighted "inadequacies of current security arrangements, staff training and incident-handling procedures at Sydney Airport".
The union had been concerned about identification cards since the September 11 attacks, particularly for contract airport staff who could work with a visitor's pass rather than an air security card.
The Transport Minister, John Anderson, said Monday's incident was not a terrorist act. "The judgement was formed that this was a hoax."
Asked on 2UE whether the Transport Workers Union might be behind the security breach, Mr Anderson said: "Well, it can't be ruled out."
At Maroochydoore Airport yesterday, passengers were unconcerned by the security breach. "It certainly didn't stop me from getting on the plane," said Brenda Moran. "I lived in New York on September 11 so those things don't stop me."
The airport had a security upgrade in 2002 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and there had been no breaches or compliance failures, according to the Maroochy Shire Council, which owns and operates the airport.
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plenty of flogs amongst the security staff???
By Alexandra Smith, Mark Todd and John Garnaut
September 24, 2004
Many contract airport workers do not have air security identification cards 18 months after the Federal Government ordered ASIO to re-screen all holders for terrorist traits.
As investigations continued into the discovery of a potentially explosive device in the cargo hold of a Virgin Blue jet, it was confirmed 65,000 background checks had been completed, but not for most contractors.
The ASIO security card checks were introduced last year among several anti-terrorism measures.
Thermite, a chemical used in modern weaponry, was found on Monday wrapped in a cardboard toilet roll with a sparkler attached in the baggage hold of a Virgin flight from Maroochydore to Sydney. A Virgin baggage handler found the device in a plastic bag but did not follow procedures and carried it into the passenger screening area of Sydney Airport's Terminal 2. Virgin Blue said the Australian Protective Service was notified 15 minutes after the device was found.
An Australian Federal Police spokeswoman confirmed the incident was under investigation but could not comment further.
The Transport Workers Union senior airline official, Glenn Nightingale, said the incident highlighted "inadequacies of current security arrangements, staff training and incident-handling procedures at Sydney Airport".
The union had been concerned about identification cards since the September 11 attacks, particularly for contract airport staff who could work with a visitor's pass rather than an air security card.
The Transport Minister, John Anderson, said Monday's incident was not a terrorist act. "The judgement was formed that this was a hoax."
Asked on 2UE whether the Transport Workers Union might be behind the security breach, Mr Anderson said: "Well, it can't be ruled out."
At Maroochydoore Airport yesterday, passengers were unconcerned by the security breach. "It certainly didn't stop me from getting on the plane," said Brenda Moran. "I lived in New York on September 11 so those things don't stop me."
The airport had a security upgrade in 2002 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and there had been no breaches or compliance failures, according to the Maroochy Shire Council, which owns and operates the airport.
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plenty of flogs amongst the security staff???