AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE TO LEAD AIRPORT SECURITY ACROSS AUSTRALIA
29 December 2009
Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, today advised that recently announced changes to airport security arrangements will ensure the security of airline travellers is maintained.
”In light of recent events in the United States, it is appropriate to remind travellers that federal, state and territory governments are committed to the safety and security of Australians and visitors to Australia,” Mr O’Connor said. “Just before Christmas, I announced changes to airport security arrangements as part of the government’s response to the Federal Audit of Police Capabilities—these changes will make already strong security arrangements even stronger.”
Conducted by Mr Roger Beale AO, the audit examined the AFP’s capacity to meet contemporary and future demands, and government priorities.
“An AFP-led, All-In, policing model for our airports will further strengthen airport policing by improving coordination across states and territories, enhancing the ability to respond rapidly to emerging global threats, and by increasing the skills of those officers charged with airport security,” Minister O’Connor said.
“The Australian Government is improving the Australian Federal Police’s ability to respond to current and future law enforcement challenges.
“Technology, globalisation, terrorism and a changing security environment have increased the complexity of policing and we need to ensure the AFP can provide an even faster, targeted and effective response.”
The Australian Government will increase the number of AFP police officers at Australia’s 11 major airports in consultation with states and territories, airport and aviation bodies and unions.
The changes proposed include a staged move to a fully sworn AFP capability at these airports instead of the current mixed commonwealth/state policing model.
Policing at Australia’s 11 major airports is currently delivered by the AFP through the Unified Policing Model (UPM). The UPM was established in June 2005 in response to the recommendations of the Airport Security and Policing Review conducted by the Rt Hon Sir John Wheeler DL.
The UPM involves a mix of federal, state and territory police being responsible for policing at airports in a cooperative framework. The Beale Audit highlighted a range of complexities and challenges with the existing model. Many of these challenges were also recognised by COAG in 2008 following a National Counter Terrorism Committee review of the UPM.
The Government has accepted the Audit’s recommendation that the best model for airport policing is an ‘All-In’ model, whereby the AFP will become responsible for staffing airport policing services at Australia’s major airports. The introduction of an All-In policing model will ensure there is an optimal framework for airport policing across Australia.
This new model of airport security will be implemented over a 5 year period in close cooperation with state and territory governments and their agencies, with adequate time to up-skill current staff who are not yet sworn police officers.
This new framework will provide a nationally-integrated airport policing service and a continued counter-terrorism first-response capability at those airports.
“The Australian Government is committed to working with the states and territories, airports and aviation bodies, and unions to ensure there is support for the implementation of the Beale recommendations,” he said.
Proposed changes to the policing arrangements relate to the following major airports: Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Gold Coast, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
“With these changes, and the other measures in response to the Beale Audit, the government will ensure the AFP, as the core commonwealth law enforcement agency, is well equipped to combat serious crime, terrorism and other security threats,” the Minister added.
Media Contact: Brian Humphreys 0438 595 567
