Transport Security

Australian airport workers in the dark on security

By Alice Kok | 26 February 2009

Airport personnel in Australia have not been given basic terrorism awareness training, despite it being made a requirement under Australian federal laws introduced after the September 11 attacks.

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Politicians, academics and unions agree that it is surprising that the “eyes and ears of the airport” - front-counter ticketing officers, baggage handlers and cleaners - have never been given terrorism awareness training in what to look for.

Tony Sheldon Transport Workers Union Official said there was also no clear reporting path for staff if they did spot a suspicious incident.

“They [staff] have never had any training and, because of private contracting and pyramid security arrangements, there are thousands of employees around the country in that position,” Sheldon said. “They are the most logical eyes and ears of airport security and it is so important that they are properly trained.”

There have been concerns that a terrorism awareness training programme - Operation Hawkeye - which was to have been put in place in airports around the country in 2007, was shelved when the Labour Party came to power.

A spokeswoman for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the force was developing a modified version of Victoria Police’s Operation Hawkeye awareness programme for training at airports and that this was due to be implemented this year.