Australian government defends airport security after criticism by pilots

Transport minister Darren Chester says existing measures are ‘robust’ but offers to discuss concerns

The Australian government has defended airport security measures amid warnings there are major holes in screening.

Amid tighter security in the wake of an alleged Sydney terrorism plot, airline pilots said they were seriously concerned that staff with access to aircraft, such as cleaners and baggage handlers, were not properly screened. They also called for domestic passengers to show identification before boarding planes.

The transport minister, Darren Chester, has offered to discuss the matter with the pilots’ union but insists existing measures are working well, given the thwarting of an alleged plot to attack a passenger plane out of Sydney.

“We have robust security measures in place to prevent an attack,” Chester told ABC radio on Thursday.

Legislation aimed at tightening security for airport staff was passed this year, he said, and he insisted the federal policy was based on the advice of intelligence and counter-terrorism experts.

The Australian Airline Pilots’ Association has questioned why its 5,000 members were subjected to stricter screening than others for aircraft access, including baggage handlers, cleaners and catering staff.

Pilots are also unconvinced about private contractors doing security screening rather than a government agency. They say these issues have been raised with the government in the past but were ignored.

Federal police have also expressed concern that organised crime figures are taking jobs at airports and ports, and exploiting their security passes to influence the screening of cargo and passengers.

Chester insisted that workers with access to aircraft must hold aviation and maritime security identification cards. There were 250,000 such cards in circulation – but the regulator responsible could not say how many workers had ceased employment and not returned them.

The Transport Workers Union has also raised concerns, arguing that high staff turnover means workers without security clearance are being granted access to high-risk areas.

Senator Nick Xenophon, who spearheaded an inquiry into aviation security, will urge the government to plug the screening gap when parliament returns next week.