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Tourism Industry Under Threat from
Poor Aviation Security
The Transport Workers Union has used renewed calls for a united approach to bring about real
protections for the safety of airport workers and the traveling public.
Speaking at the TWU Federal Council in Brisbane today, TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon said “The security of aviation workers and the traveling public across Australia is under threat if the aviation industry does not make drastic changes.”
After terrorist attacks over the last four years in the US, Indonesia, Spain, London and Scotland, there is the need to make Australia’s security systems adequate to deal with the very real threat
of terrorism.
Yet in light of this, Australia’s major airlines are increasingly outsourcing their labour at our major
airports.
“The gutting of Australia’s major airlines by outsourcing labour is increasing national security risks
through poor systems, lack of training and high turnover of staff”, Mr Sheldon said.
“For too long so many companies have been motivated by profit when dealing with security
issues.”
“Our airports are the gateway to our multi-million dollar tourism industry. If no action is taken we are risking the lives and livelihoods of all Australians.
There is a list of horror security breaches occurring at Australian airports in recent years is terrifying. In 2006, untrained baggage handlers were sent to investigate a plane that contained a suspected bomb. In 2007, prohibited weapons were carried on a flight by an Australian
Servicemen. There have also been numerous incidents of breaches in secure areas of airports.
The Transport Workers Union’s Federal Council heard from a panel of industry representatives
about the way forward for the aviation industry.
The TWU is continuing to fight for a tripartite approach to fixing our nations aviation
security issues by working with other aviation industry stakeholders and the Federal
Government.
Media contact Josh McIntosh 0408 463 199.
22 May 2008
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