Posted on 06/05/2002 9:08:49 AM PDT by doug from upland
Security not air-tight
By Sean Parnell
05jun02
SECURITY tests conducted at Australian airports since the September 11 terrorist attacks show prohibited items are still slipping through undetected.
But the Federal Government will not detail the security lapses for fear of putting public safety at risk.
The issue arose yesterday as Attorney-General Daryl Williams confirmed the government's controversial anti-terrorism legislation had been amended to redress the balance between public safety and the protection of human rights.
The Courier-Mail sought access under Freedom of Information legislation to more than 40 aviation security test reports conducted by the Department of Transport between September and April.
But Assistant Secretary of Aviation Security Policy Andy Turner has refused to release the reports because they would "prejudice the maintenance or enforcement of lawful methods for the protection of public safety".
"The documents . . . contain information relating to the types of prohibited objects which have been detected, and those that have failed to be detected, during the airport security systems testing process," Mr Turner said in his decision.
Transport Minister John Anderson was overseas but a spokesman said airport security had been heightened since September 11 and was constantly under review.
The spokesman said airport staff had received security standards as recently as May 14 and the government was proud of its safety record.
He said airport staff at security screens exercised their discretion over what should be allowed on planes, although guns and knives were obviously prohibited.
Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison said yesterday 110 air marshals would be fast-tracked into service by August but he could not detail what proportion of flights they would cover.
Late yesterday, Mr Williams scheduled a press conference to discuss anti-terrorism legislation but told journalists he would not discuss the amendments, later detailed in a press release.
Mr Williams denied the move was a media strategy, saying the amendments were complex and it was "inappropriate" to discuss them in a press conference.
The government has removed the reversal of proof associated with possessing terrorist equipment or documents and terrorist training and altered the penalties involved.
It also has loosened the "proscribed organisation" provisions to refer to groups directly or indirectly engaged in terrorist acts or, under a two-year sunset clause, those named by the United Nations Security Council or listed in regulations with supporting evidence.
The definition of a "terrorist act" also will include intended intimidation or coercion, allow a defence to treason charges of providing humanitarian aid and provide more transparency in investigating the financing of terrorism.
Courier-Mail
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