Airlines: General

Better security measures needed to combat serious and organised crime in aviation: ASU lodges submission to federal inquiry

By the ASU - the airlines industry union

The ASU has lodged a submission with the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Crime Commissions' inquiry into the adequacy of aviation and maritime security measures to combat serious and organised crime.

The Inquiry is charged with investigating the nature and methods used by organised crime to infiltrate the aviation and maritime industries, and the effectiveness of the Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC).

The ASU has made several recommendations as to how ASIC could be improved:

• Reduce the time that it takes to receive an ASIC after applying.
• Review the questions asked and efficacy of the two year ASIC renewal requirement.
• Reduce the amount of people with access to controlled zones in airports by decreasing staff turnover and the casualisation of certain sections of the workforce, and moving shopping outlets outside the secure zone.

We have also requested that attention be given to the ongoing security risks that have been identified by our members.

• The replacement of Customer Service Agents with electronic check in machines that effectively removes any identification check for passengers on domestic flights.
• Not all cargo is X- Ray scanned before being loaded on
• Passengers arriving in Australia are not required to have their baggage screened, they can bypass all security by going through the express lane.

The ASU submission can be downloaded below.

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