Airport and aviation security - Senate Inquiry
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Airport and aviation security - Senate Inquiry
The Senate has a closing date for this on 16 January 2015
The Senate motion was as follows:
I understand hearings are to be in first week of February 2015.
Airport and aviation security
On 4 December 2014, the Senate moved that the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 26 April 2015.
Airport and aviation security.
Submissions should be received by 16 January 2015. The reporting date is 26 April 2015.
Committee Secretariat contact:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: +61 2 6277 3511
Fax: +61 2 6277 5811
[email protected]
On 4 December 2014, the Senate moved that the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 26 April 2015.
Airport and aviation security.
Submissions should be received by 16 January 2015. The reporting date is 26 April 2015.
Committee Secretariat contact:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: +61 2 6277 3511
Fax: +61 2 6277 5811
[email protected]
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee
Reference
Senator XENOPHON (South Australia) (12:37): I move:
10204 SENATE Thursday, 4 December 2014 CHAMBER
That the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 26 April 2015:
(a) recent media reports on apparent breaches in airport and aviation security at Australian airports;
(b) consideration of the responses to those reports from the Government, regulators, airports and other key stakeholders, and the adequacy of those responses;
(c) whether there are further measures that ought to be taken to enhance airport security and the safety of the travelling public;
(d) the findings of, and responses to, reports undertaken into airport security issues since 2000; and
(e) any related matters.
Question agreed to.
Reference
Senator XENOPHON (South Australia) (12:37): I move:
10204 SENATE Thursday, 4 December 2014 CHAMBER
That the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 26 April 2015:
(a) recent media reports on apparent breaches in airport and aviation security at Australian airports;
(b) consideration of the responses to those reports from the Government, regulators, airports and other key stakeholders, and the adequacy of those responses;
(c) whether there are further measures that ought to be taken to enhance airport security and the safety of the travelling public;
(d) the findings of, and responses to, reports undertaken into airport security issues since 2000; and
(e) any related matters.
Question agreed to.
Last edited by Up-into-the-air; 8th Jan 2015 at 10:23. Reason: Add material
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security-related media reports
The terms of reference are centred on "recent media reports on apparent breaches in airport and aviation security at Australian airports", a somewhat unusual formulation compared to other Senate Inquiries.
I have been away for a while, so have missed whatever triggered this off.
Does anyone have any links to the "recent media reports" that have got Nick X excited? Has there been a significant breach or is this a continuation of the inconsistent application of screening saga?
I have been away for a while, so have missed whatever triggered this off.
Does anyone have any links to the "recent media reports" that have got Nick X excited? Has there been a significant breach or is this a continuation of the inconsistent application of screening saga?
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Concerning the statistics of inadvertent access to areas of airports where all the airside area is a security controlled zone when greedy councils were 'forced' to accept the DOT 'cash splash' instead of simply painting some lines around the terminal area. One plane spotter hanging around the perimeter without an ASIC is statistically the same as a bearded mid eastern bloke with an AK47.
Some lines painted on the ground will fix the problem but probably put the 'ASIC industry' out of business.
Obviously more regulation will fix the problem.
Some lines painted on the ground will fix the problem but probably put the 'ASIC industry' out of business.
Obviously more regulation will fix the problem.
The ASIC cash cow for CASA.
Heard on the grapevine (all rumour of course) that the FF primary witness in the JQ fit-up had been awarded no less than three ASIC cards for YBCS airport - yep this dude with high moral character was allowed to roam airside un-checked & un-encumbered to freely go where ever he may please...
The rumour goes on that after hours this CASA-indemnified individual on occasions saw fit to enter the premises of JQ's former place of employment and to enter un-locked special mission high capacity aircraft (for what purpose one will never know - perhaps he had grand thoughts of flying off into the wild blue yonder..
)
While rummaging in said aircraft this individual reputedly found a gift, a couple of latest version laptops which he decided to borrow for a wee while...
Now what did these little potential gems contain??
Well that is a story that I'm sure would perk the interest of Senator X & co in their latest inquisition...
The rumour goes on that after hours this CASA-indemnified individual on occasions saw fit to enter the premises of JQ's former place of employment and to enter un-locked special mission high capacity aircraft (for what purpose one will never know - perhaps he had grand thoughts of flying off into the wild blue yonder..
) While rummaging in said aircraft this individual reputedly found a gift, a couple of latest version laptops which he decided to borrow for a wee while...
Now what did these little potential gems contain??
Well that is a story that I'm sure would perk the interest of Senator X & co in their latest inquisition...
Last edited by Sarcs; 13th Jan 2015 at 19:13.
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Well that is a story that I'm sure would perk the interest of Senator X & co in their latest inquisition...
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The following is extracted from a chapter of the Bankstown Chronicles; thought it may help fuel debate on an important subject, shortly to be examined by Sen. Nick Xenophon. The extract is from part of a report produced to assist a pilot with his arse in a sling; whether that sling was of his own making or not is, IMO, beside the point and little to do with 'aviation security'. As far as is possible, the 'facts' as provided have been checked, no guarantees : but - FWIW
Not well edited (potted), but it does leave some questions behind...
During the two month period examined, computer forensics indicate that the alleged incursions on which the crown relied originated from the defendant’s IP address. The allegation is based on a total of 130 visits to the Air Services Australia (ASA) website. Visiting the ASA website is not illegal, indeed as a public service safety website, pilots are encouraged to access the site many times per day to obtain updated weather information and safety bulletins. (NOTAM).
Of the 130 alleged 'visit' incidents only nine visits have been forensically tracked to the defendant’s former IP address. There are significant discrepancies contained within the presented data.
Notes:-
In December YYYY the XXXXX based aircraft were broken into and flight data laptops were stolen. The dedicated flight crew laptop contained all the required, password enabled software links (NAIPS) to enable flight planning and the submission of flight plans through the XXXXX account; the lap top included all stored username and password detail; all standard flight plans for sensitive Customs flights conducted by the Base at the time.
Comment:
Even if the motive for the theft was solely the lap top computers, it begs the question how did the perpetrators gain the information, airside access and the knowledge to enter the aircraft?
This event was a serious and potentially dangerous event presenting very real and serious repercussions in the form of high risk of terrorism or criminal threat. Part of XXXXX function was the monitoring of illegal boat activity. It is noteworthy that the potential threat was not reported to AISIO or the subject of an in depth Australian Federal Police (AFP) report. There is no record of improved security protocols being implemented, there is a clear breach of the DoIT approved Transport Security Program (TSP)
This begs a question of the XXXXX commitment to safety and security. Further raises the issue why are the allegations against XXXXX viewed as 'heinous' whilst a serious security and safety event was treated in a cavalier matter.
Q) Why were the company XXXXX usernames/passwords not changed after a high risk security breach, where the sensitive information was known to be in the hands of criminal or potentially, terrorist elements?
Q) Why were ASIO, AFP, Customs and Border Protection not advised of the breach?
Q) There are some 130 alleged incursions, can the Crown advise if any of the remaining 121 unaccounted incursions can be traced to the missing aircraft computers?
Q) Can XXXXX provide explanation of why the password system was only changed at the insistence of the AFP - (dd/mm/Yy ); and why the enforced changes were only reflected in a change to a non encrypted seven digit password?
Of the 130 alleged 'visit' incidents only nine visits have been forensically tracked to the defendant’s former IP address. There are significant discrepancies contained within the presented data.
Notes:-
In December YYYY the XXXXX based aircraft were broken into and flight data laptops were stolen. The dedicated flight crew laptop contained all the required, password enabled software links (NAIPS) to enable flight planning and the submission of flight plans through the XXXXX account; the lap top included all stored username and password detail; all standard flight plans for sensitive Customs flights conducted by the Base at the time.
Comment:
Even if the motive for the theft was solely the lap top computers, it begs the question how did the perpetrators gain the information, airside access and the knowledge to enter the aircraft?
This event was a serious and potentially dangerous event presenting very real and serious repercussions in the form of high risk of terrorism or criminal threat. Part of XXXXX function was the monitoring of illegal boat activity. It is noteworthy that the potential threat was not reported to AISIO or the subject of an in depth Australian Federal Police (AFP) report. There is no record of improved security protocols being implemented, there is a clear breach of the DoIT approved Transport Security Program (TSP)
This begs a question of the XXXXX commitment to safety and security. Further raises the issue why are the allegations against XXXXX viewed as 'heinous' whilst a serious security and safety event was treated in a cavalier matter.
Q) Why were the company XXXXX usernames/passwords not changed after a high risk security breach, where the sensitive information was known to be in the hands of criminal or potentially, terrorist elements?
Q) Why were ASIO, AFP, Customs and Border Protection not advised of the breach?
Q) There are some 130 alleged incursions, can the Crown advise if any of the remaining 121 unaccounted incursions can be traced to the missing aircraft computers?
Q) Can XXXXX provide explanation of why the password system was only changed at the insistence of the AFP - (dd/mm/Yy ); and why the enforced changes were only reflected in a change to a non encrypted seven digit password?
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This appears NOT to be a conspiracy theory if the evidence is there, but a perversion of the course of justice. Can we now assume only criminals have guns and ASIC's?
What is the worth of an ASIC over a Passport or photo ID outside of the public airline quarantine security zone anyway?
What is the worth of an ASIC at all?
THEY HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED.
All need be immediately recalled and the process re-examined. Another monumental government stuff up.
What is the worth of an ASIC over a Passport or photo ID outside of the public airline quarantine security zone anyway?
What is the worth of an ASIC at all?
THEY HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED.
All need be immediately recalled and the process re-examined. Another monumental government stuff up.
Last edited by Frank Arouet; 13th Jan 2015 at 23:26. Reason: Apathy is a curse, but who cares?
ASICK...the Aus Aviation Inconvenience So-so "security" Card
Apart from being a bureaucratic schemmozzle..to put it politely, I would posit that the costs of administering the damn thing outweigh any security benefit. Anyone can commit a terrorist act with or without an ASIC. You might as well run full checks on everyone in the country.
It was a "better be seen to be doing something" brain snap/reaction post 9/11.
During a recent social visit from the AFP, the card I was handed stated on the back... You are the eyes and ears of your local airport ..etc etc. Que??
You are 13 years too late, says I Why is that says the AFP chappie.
This is the same statement the US government made to all aviationists 13 YEARS ago...and they didn't see all pilots as "security threats" that must have a criminal history check and be required to buy a card to prove it.
The agencies concerned with security could quietly run checks on all pilots as per the licence list and find out if there are any "suss" for their own requirements. And they could run checks on all truck drivers as well, or plumbers too, for all that matter.
Just because someone gets a clearance card today, doesnt mean that someone wont do something silly tomorrow or next week.
And if you think the issuing agency is another of those unaccountable bureacrazies ...you are right. But YOU have no rights.!
A colleague who had an ASIC issued 2 years ago, on recent renewal application, got a knock-back.
The letter had an undecipherable scribble "signature" and NO name, stating that because of his past history ..( he was a naughty boy as a teenager, {werent we all},, 35 years ago !!).. NO ASIC ...and because his PPL is a "security sensitive certificate '...he must NOT even taxi his pvt aeroplane, let alone fly it. FFS
Who signed this letter?... you cant know.
What is the reason for the knock-back?...no reason given.
After a torrid phone call where he suggested a court might be the go, he was asked to send a Stat Dec that he had no traffic infringements etc. over the past 2 years.
Is this the new "self -check" method ??? Discount on the card cost if you do it yourself?
The ASIC was promised to be forthcoming by Xmas/New Year. No show.
When queried.."Ah, there's been a complaint* made against you"
Funny..no mention of that in the first place.
What is this complaint ? You cant know !
And who is this complaint from? You cant know ?
How to defend myself from a malicious or false complaint then? Que ?
Surely the victim should be the first to know the nature of the complaint and be given the opportunity for a countervaiing view.
Ah ..but this is the land of JustArse not Justice.
Mention of court again...and presto, advice by email is that the ASIC is on the way.
* the complainant, we suspect is a well know "fruit loop" in the CNS CAsA office. My colleague had visited him recently to complain about the quality of maintenance on a recent annual. The CAsA person was not interested in that issue but castigated him for even making the complaint about that workshop in the first place. When drugs got a mention, CAsA called in the AFP.
So there is corruption and cronyism, and there is also protectionism.
And its alive and well in FN Q.
"safety" my ar$e.
And "security"..what a sick and costly joke
It was a "better be seen to be doing something" brain snap/reaction post 9/11.
During a recent social visit from the AFP, the card I was handed stated on the back... You are the eyes and ears of your local airport ..etc etc. Que??
You are 13 years too late, says I Why is that says the AFP chappie.
This is the same statement the US government made to all aviationists 13 YEARS ago...and they didn't see all pilots as "security threats" that must have a criminal history check and be required to buy a card to prove it.
The agencies concerned with security could quietly run checks on all pilots as per the licence list and find out if there are any "suss" for their own requirements. And they could run checks on all truck drivers as well, or plumbers too, for all that matter.
Just because someone gets a clearance card today, doesnt mean that someone wont do something silly tomorrow or next week.
And if you think the issuing agency is another of those unaccountable bureacrazies ...you are right. But YOU have no rights.!
A colleague who had an ASIC issued 2 years ago, on recent renewal application, got a knock-back.
The letter had an undecipherable scribble "signature" and NO name, stating that because of his past history ..( he was a naughty boy as a teenager, {werent we all},, 35 years ago !!).. NO ASIC ...and because his PPL is a "security sensitive certificate '...he must NOT even taxi his pvt aeroplane, let alone fly it. FFS
Who signed this letter?... you cant know.
What is the reason for the knock-back?...no reason given.
After a torrid phone call where he suggested a court might be the go, he was asked to send a Stat Dec that he had no traffic infringements etc. over the past 2 years.
Is this the new "self -check" method ??? Discount on the card cost if you do it yourself?
The ASIC was promised to be forthcoming by Xmas/New Year. No show.
When queried.."Ah, there's been a complaint* made against you"
Funny..no mention of that in the first place.
What is this complaint ? You cant know !
And who is this complaint from? You cant know ?
How to defend myself from a malicious or false complaint then? Que ?
Surely the victim should be the first to know the nature of the complaint and be given the opportunity for a countervaiing view.
Ah ..but this is the land of JustArse not Justice.
Mention of court again...and presto, advice by email is that the ASIC is on the way.
* the complainant, we suspect is a well know "fruit loop" in the CNS CAsA office. My colleague had visited him recently to complain about the quality of maintenance on a recent annual. The CAsA person was not interested in that issue but castigated him for even making the complaint about that workshop in the first place. When drugs got a mention, CAsA called in the AFP.
So there is corruption and cronyism, and there is also protectionism.
And its alive and well in FN Q.
"safety" my ar$e.And "security"..what a sick and costly joke
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Yes the questions change to suit the occasion;
1) have you ever been convicted of an offence........ No. Money please.
2) Have you ever been charged with an offence...... Yes but I was found not guilty. Sorry, piss orf.
3) Have you ever offended somebody in authority... Well.....
The ASIC has been COMPROMISED. It's valueless as proof of a right to be in a security controlled zone. It's not needed except for a security controlled zone and the local government edicts to declare all the airside a security controlled zone impinges on reasonable access for free trade between the States as is guaranteed in The Australian Constitution.
1) have you ever been convicted of an offence........ No. Money please.
2) Have you ever been charged with an offence...... Yes but I was found not guilty. Sorry, piss orf.
3) Have you ever offended somebody in authority... Well.....
The ASIC has been COMPROMISED. It's valueless as proof of a right to be in a security controlled zone. It's not needed except for a security controlled zone and the local government edicts to declare all the airside a security controlled zone impinges on reasonable access for free trade between the States as is guaranteed in The Australian Constitution.
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I regularly have to travel to the other side of the country to work, largely because the CAsA strategy to wipe out general aviation seems to be working well on the east coast.
Security, A'La Albersleezy" never ceases to amaze me as I drag my sorry ass through check in at terminal 2 and trudge towards the "Cattle pens". Small consolation but at least I don't have to get irradiated till I glow in the dark like the poor sods who actually have to fly the aircraft!.
6am and there's a heaving mass of humanity corralled up in front of the xray machines.
They should hang a huge banner above them "WORK SHALL SET YOU FREE".
Swarthy looking individuals with cattle prods striding up and down keep the mob well bunched up.
Waiting, as sitting ducks for some nutter with a suicide vest to yell "Allahu Akbar" from the middle of the melee and send themselves and a couple of A380 loads to meet their makers.
They wouldn't even need to have explosives, just yelling it should be enough to precipitate a stampede!!
"Well done that man" We hear from ISIS.
"We are writing a new suite of regulations to cover blowing yourself up before going through security, three thousand pages should plug the gap", from our regulators.....
"Yelling Allahu Akbar, in a crowded location is now a crime" punishable by 30 penalty units and three days listening to the goggle eyed green telling you how downtrodden and discriminated against you are.
Security??? they wouldn't know if it bit them on the ass!!
Security, A'La Albersleezy" never ceases to amaze me as I drag my sorry ass through check in at terminal 2 and trudge towards the "Cattle pens". Small consolation but at least I don't have to get irradiated till I glow in the dark like the poor sods who actually have to fly the aircraft!.
6am and there's a heaving mass of humanity corralled up in front of the xray machines.
They should hang a huge banner above them "WORK SHALL SET YOU FREE".
Swarthy looking individuals with cattle prods striding up and down keep the mob well bunched up.
Waiting, as sitting ducks for some nutter with a suicide vest to yell "Allahu Akbar" from the middle of the melee and send themselves and a couple of A380 loads to meet their makers.
They wouldn't even need to have explosives, just yelling it should be enough to precipitate a stampede!!
"Well done that man" We hear from ISIS.
"We are writing a new suite of regulations to cover blowing yourself up before going through security, three thousand pages should plug the gap", from our regulators.....
"Yelling Allahu Akbar, in a crowded location is now a crime" punishable by 30 penalty units and three days listening to the goggle eyed green telling you how downtrodden and discriminated against you are.
Security??? they wouldn't know if it bit them on the ass!!
Last edited by thorn bird; 14th Jan 2015 at 05:59.
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Although it would give me great pleasure to kick the daylights out of Albo, it was Anderson as Deputy PM and minister for things flying that got this ASIC thing going ably encouraged by AOPA who believed they would be the only accredited authority to issue the cards and thus force pilots via member discounts to sign up. The Board members who opposed the lunacy were marginalized by a 'Troika' of 'executive' board members to run the show as they saw fit. Department of Transport, now ably entertained by the three ring circus that is CAsA and minister Truss holds the key to this chest of tricks and probably will fight any Senate reasoning to the death.
In those days we all thought Anderson just didn't want anyone flying around while he was in his jet. There seems to be a 'thing with ex National Party members and aircraft and CAsA. Can't quiet put my finger on it.
In those days we all thought Anderson just didn't want anyone flying around while he was in his jet. There seems to be a 'thing with ex National Party members and aircraft and CAsA. Can't quiet put my finger on it.
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" the three ring circus that is CAsA and minister Truss holds the key to this chest of tricks and probably will fight any Senate reasoning to the death."
Problem these days Frank, there's too much money in it.
The security Industry makes massive profits, so are able to make large contributions to election funds, and Murky Macavellian retirement plans, to facilitate even more "security" regulations that are almost guaranteed to precipitate at least two or three Air Rage incidents a day.
We know the industry particularly GA is on the bones of its ass, not a chance of competing with that sort of money, so suck it up people, bend over and grit your teeth.
Problem these days Frank, there's too much money in it.
The security Industry makes massive profits, so are able to make large contributions to election funds, and Murky Macavellian retirement plans, to facilitate even more "security" regulations that are almost guaranteed to precipitate at least two or three Air Rage incidents a day.
We know the industry particularly GA is on the bones of its ass, not a chance of competing with that sort of money, so suck it up people, bend over and grit your teeth.
M&M website - Link of interest
The following link is for documents released by M&M's department under the FOI (all 67 pages) that I would have thought was extremely relevant to the NX called inquiry...
: FOI_14-90_combined pdf.
Some of the security incidents recorded were of interest, several of which more than adequately highlight the ridiculous farce this whole airport security system is...
One that I particularly found most disturbing was this..
:
MTF...
Ps Last day for submissions.
: FOI_14-90_combined pdf. Some of the security incidents recorded were of interest, several of which more than adequately highlight the ridiculous farce this whole airport security system is...
One that I particularly found most disturbing was this..:
ASIC incident /01/2013 - A driver exiting the airport was seen handing an ASIC to another driver, who used it to access gate. Security seized the ASIC and escorted second driver from airport. The ASIC was issued to a resigned employee and had been used 50 times since their resignation.
Ps Last day for submissions.
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If the ASIC were a new Toyota with an intermittent instrument fault, the whole batch would be recalled by the manufacturer.
If, after 3 months, a non therapeutic drug reading was found relating to one PA-32 crash, every pilot in the country would be forced to undergo random drug tests.
If one C172 had wing corrosion, the whole fleet would be grounded and be subject to SIDs. A Bonanza was found with worn cables, the fleet would be subject to an AD requiring all new cables. Should I continue?
The ASIC has been compromised. It has to be recalled, issued with and "AD" or made become "SIDs compliant" because it's worthless as a security document. This needs to be done if only to keep bureaucrats in employment and justify the head "bureau rat's" position.
If, after 3 months, a non therapeutic drug reading was found relating to one PA-32 crash, every pilot in the country would be forced to undergo random drug tests.
If one C172 had wing corrosion, the whole fleet would be grounded and be subject to SIDs. A Bonanza was found with worn cables, the fleet would be subject to an AD requiring all new cables. Should I continue?
The ASIC has been compromised. It has to be recalled, issued with and "AD" or made become "SIDs compliant" because it's worthless as a security document. This needs to be done if only to keep bureaucrats in employment and justify the head "bureau rat's" position.
