Fed: No passenger screening on regional flights

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2003
Fed: No passenger screening on regional flights

Passengers will be able to board regional flights without being screened despite a
new $93 million package to bolster security at the nation's airports.

The government yesterday announced a new round of security upgrades to help protect
Australia's skies from a terrorist attack.

Most of the package will be funded by extra money collected from the $10 Ansett ticket tax.

Under the $93 million package, hardened cockpit doors will be installed in all planes
with more than 30 seats, new freight screening technology will be trialled and all pilots
will undergo security background checks.

An Office of Transport Security will be set up and an independent inspector of Transport
Security will be appointed.

However, Mr ANDERSON says passenger screening at all regional airports is not warranted.

But Labor's transport spokesman MARTIN FERGUSON says the package does not go far enough.

Meanwhile, the Liquor Hospitality Miscellaneous Workers' Union says the package is
a blow for regional tourism.

AAP RTV sal/sb/psm/

KEYWORD: AIRPORTS (CANBERRA)

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