Aviation security changes announced

The Government has announced a comprehensive package of measures to strengthen Australia's international and domestic aviation security regime against emerging threats.

Over four years, the Government will invest $200 million on new and improved security technologies, increased policing at airports, enhanced security procedures, as well as strengthened international cooperation.

Changes announced include:

- an immediate increase in the number of passengers subject to explosive trace detection at major international and domestic airports;

- $28.5 million to assist industry to introduce a range of new screening technologies at passenger screening points, including body scanners, next-generation multi-view X-ray machines and bottle scanners capable of detecting liquid-based explosives;

- body scanners introduced progressively as an additional screening measure at screening points servicing international departing passengers by early 2011 - the Government says it "understands the privacy concerns some travellers may have with body scanning technologies" and "will implement appropriate privacy and facilitation measures to mitigate these concerns";

- $32 dollars provided to bring forward screening at a number of additional regional airports that are currently served by larger passenger turbo-prop aircraft;

- more stringent training and performance requirements for security screening staff;

- $17.7 million to increase the number of Firearms and Explosive Detection Dogs at major international airports by 50 per cent;

- $12.3 million to maintain the AFP presence at major airports;

- $18.2 million to strengthen engagement and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and internationally and to improve security on international flights;

- expansion of the international cooperation regime of visits, inspections and security assessments at last ports of call airports for flights coming to Australia;

- a trial, in partnership with the US and the UK at an Australian airport, on technology-based solutions to assist in further improvements to the detection of liquids-based explosives;

- $24.9 million for new technology as part of the Enhanced Passenger Assessment and Clearance Program, to enable Customs to assess a larger number of passengers earlier and faster and share relevant data with intelligence, border management and law enforcement agencies;

- $11.4 million for the Next Generation Border Security Initiative to use advanced data analysis and risk profiling to better identify and refer visa applicants who may present national security risks to intelligence agencies; and

- $54.2 million to assist industry to install cargo x-ray screening and explosive trace detection technology at selected locations, and to establish a regulated shipp scheme, allowing for the identificaiton of high-risk cargo for technical examination.