Tougher penalties for airport hoaxes
Monday, 14 June 2010
From ABC Online – abc.net.au/worldtoday
ELEANOR HALL: People who make hoax bomb threats against airports or planes could soon face up to 10 years in jail. The Federal Government is preparing to introduce tougher penalties for a range of aviation offences that include making threats or jokes about airport security.
The measures will be introduced into parliament in the next fortnight and the Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor spoke about the plans to Naomi Woodley in Canberra.
BRENDAN O'CONNOR: These proposed measures I am putting forward include air rage against flight crews, threats against airports and endangering aircraft, which will carry more severe penalties.
So what we have in place are some penalties that need to increase for example serious hoax offences, which can cause enormous disruption and potential danger for flights that might have to be diverted currently have only a two year maximum. We are proposing that go to 10 years because we know that terrorist organisations use serious hoaxes as part of their weaponry to cause great anxiety, disruption in international airports.
We have new offences including assaults against aircraft crew, carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years, and we have new offences that go to having dangerous goods on board an aircraft where there is risk of a serious harm or death, with a maximum penalty of 14 years.
NAOMI WOODLEY: It is already illegal to assault someone or to have dangerous goods on board an aircraft. Why the need for the new offences?
BRENDAN O'CONNOR: Yeah, look the current penalties prescribed within ACT legislation, that is how it has been and what we needed to do was to have specific offences in the Crimes Aviation Act and ensure that there is no argument that there are special circumstances around an aircraft crew, particularly when on board an aircraft.
And we need to make sure that these penalties are in place and send a very strong message to anyone who would seek to cause injury to an aircraft member not just because we don't want crew members being assaulted but the potential consequences that go beyond the assault itself given that it is on an aircraft.
NAOMI WOODLEY: What has prompted the need? Has there been a particular incident that has prompted this sort of a review or is it simply updating these offences?
BRENDAN O'CONNOR: Look there has been a range of concerns. We recall on Christmas Day someone sought to get into the United States on board a plane and cause harm to that plane and that has caused the Government to review a whole range of things.
Just recently the Prime Minister, the Minister for Transport and I in, I think it was late February this year, announced a $200 million package for airport security, aviation security which went to things such as better screening, boosting security on international flights, 50 per cent increase in firearms and explosive detection dogs and indeed providing Customs and Border Protection a better way to collect the international travel history of passengers that may pose a security risk.
NAOMI WOODLEY: Do you anticipate any trouble getting these measures through Parliament and when are they likely to be enshrined in law?
BRENDAN O'CONNOR: Well, look I would be wanting to introduce the Bill in this coming fortnight and of course we do then have a winter recess but it would be my view that provided it is approved by Caucus and introduced into the House, we would look to have the Bill enacted sometime in later sittings this year.
I mean this is important legislation. We've had to consult widely with everyone affected - airports, airlines, unions, employers generally and other parties and we have done so, including all state and territory governments.
Now, of course, we need to ensure that we have this legislated but it has got some way to go but it is a, in my view, a very important Bill and I expect the support from the Opposition.
ELEANOR HALL: That is the Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor speaking to Naomi Woodley in Canberra.
