By Angela Beswick
The Australian federal government will spend $200 million over four years to boost security in its airports, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced today.
The package is intended to strengthen international and domestic aviation security against emerging threats.
Mr Rudd said the failed Detroit airliner attack on Christmas Day had shown there is no room for complacency when it comes to airport security.
“The government’s highest priority is the safety and security of Australians,” he said.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported $28.5 million will be spent to help the industry pay for a range of new screening technologies for airline passengers. These include the latest body scanners, next generation multi-view x-ray machines and bottle scanners capable of detecting liquid-based explosives.
The body scanners will be introduced progressively, as an additional screening measure at points servicing international departures by 2011, Mr Rudd said.
A further $32 million will be set aside for additional screening for regional airports used by large aircraft.
The government has earmarked $17.7 million to increase the number of firearm and explosive-detection dogs by 50 percent.
Maintaining the presence of Australian Federal Police officers at big airports is expected to cost around $12.3 million, with more stringent training standards being introduced for screening staff.
The government will provide $18.2 million to boost security co-operation in the Asia-Pacific region for international flights.
Another $24.9 million will go to boosting intelligence sharing between Customs and law enforcement agencies and improving technology to enable passengers to be cleared faster.
A further $11.4 million will be spent on what Mr Rudd described as "advanced data analysis and risk profiling" to help identify suspected security risks.
"The government will introduce a number of measures to help secure Australia's air cargo supply chain.
"We will supply $54.2 million to assist industry to install cargo x-ray screening and explosive trace detection technology at appropriate locations," he told reporters.
The privacy commissioner will be involved in the rollout of the technology, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. The prime minister acknowledged there may be public concerns around the body screening technology, including privacy issues and the potential impact on processing times.
But Mr Rudd has defended the changes, saying “practical things” must be learned from the incident in the US.
“You get the best advice, you respond,” he said.
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