07 June 2005 Australia reviews airport security
The Australian government has announced plans for a major overhaul in its airport security with staff undergoing new background checks.
Deputy prime minister and transport minister John Anderson announced a federal takeover of security at all of the nation's major airports and a review of security operations.
Under the changes, around 70,000 airport and airline workers' and 130,000 maritime workers' security passes will be reviewed and those with criminal convictions could be sacked.
In a statement, the government said that it would "examine the threat from serious and organised crime at airports, the integration of ground-based security and law enforcement arrangements and the adequacy of the existing security requirements".
The Australian government has come under pressure to make changes to airport security after baggage handlers were suspected of involvement in drug smuggling.
In May, Australian woman Schapelle Corby and was sentenced to 20 years in prison by an Indonesian court, despite blaming baggage handlers for planting cannabis in her luggage.
The case has angered Australians and caused demands for security measures to be tightened.
The review will be headed by British security expert Sir John Wheeler, who has examined measures taken at British airports.
© DeHavilland Information Servic
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