COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Official Committee Hansard
JOINT COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
Reference: Further inquiry into aviation security in Australia
WEDNESDAY, 24 AUGUST 2005
BRISBANE
BY AUTHORITY OF THE PARLIAMENT
Scullion and Watson and Mr Broadbent, Ms Burke, Miss Jackie Kelly, Ms King, Mr Laming, Mr Somlyay, Mr Tanner and Mr Ticehurst Members in attendance: Senators Moore and Watson and Mr Baldwin, Ms Grierson and Mr Ticehurst
O’CALLAGHAN, Mr John, Government Relations Adviser, Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd
SCANLON, Mr Philip, Manager, Security Department, Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd
Terms of reference for the inquiry: To inquire into and report on: The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit will inquire into and report on developments in aviation security since its June 2004 Report 400: Review of Aviation Security in Australia, with particular reference to:
a) regulation of aviation security by the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services, and the Department’s response to aviation security incidents since June 2004; b) compliance with Commonwealth security requirements by airport operators at major and regional airports;c) compliance with Commonwealth security requirements by airlines;
d) the impact of overseas security requirements on Australian aviation security;e) cost imposts of security upgrades, particularly for regional airports;
f) privacy implications of greater security measures; g) opportunities to enhance security measures presented by current and emerging technologies, including measures to combat identity fraud; andh) procedures for, and security of, baggage handling operations at international, domestic and regional airports, by both airlines and airports.
Flash Back - Ms Schapelle Corby 24th May 2005
A must read document, topics - Whistleblowers to be encouraged - CCTV - costing to Airlines.
Source: http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/joint/commttee/j8666.pdf
Information extracted - Page.30
"The Debate"
Ms GRIERSON—When the Corby allegations were made that there may be systemic movement of drugs through passenger baggage—and therefore interference with passenger baggage—did Virgin, with your flights out of Brisbane and Sydney et cetera, do a review or any checks? Did it prompt you to look at any possibilities in your own operations?
Mr Scanlon—It certainly did. We looked at the potential for that to occur. Once again you have to look at the staffing issues and availability at those ports. Obviously it is something that we looked at with the airport authorities as to what we could do. We looked at the issues of CCTV, different methods of using the screening process and the availability of supervisors to be in certain areas when staff are there.
Ms GRIERSON—When the Corby allegations were made that there may be systemic movement of drugs through passenger baggage — and therefore interference with passenger baggage — did Virgin, with your flights out of Brisbane and Sydney et cetera, do a review or any checks? Did it prompt you to look at any possibilities in your own operations?
Mr Scanlon—It certainly did. We looked at the potential for that to occur. Once again you have to look at the staffing issues and availability at those ports. Obviously it is something that we looked at with the airport authorities as to what we could do. We looked at the issues of CCTV, different methods of using the screening process and the availability of supervisors to be in certain areas when staff are there.
Ms GRIERSON—So clearly the industry thought it was possible.
Mr Scanlon—There is always a possibility of anything. You can never say never, I suppose.
O’CALLAGHAN, Mr John, Government Relations Adviser, Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd
SCANLON, Mr Philip, Manager, Security Department, Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd
Terms of reference for the inquiry: To inquire into and report on: The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit will inquire into and report on developments in aviation security since its June 2004 Report 400: Review of Aviation Security in Australia, with particular reference to:
a) regulation of aviation security by the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services, and the Department’s response to aviation security incidents since June 2004; b) compliance with Commonwealth security requirements by airport operators at major and regional airports;c) compliance with Commonwealth security requirements by airlines;
d) the impact of overseas security requirements on Australian aviation security;e) cost imposts of security upgrades, particularly for regional airports;
f) privacy implications of greater security measures; g) opportunities to enhance security measures presented by current and emerging technologies, including measures to combat identity fraud; andh) procedures for, and security of, baggage handling operations at international, domestic and regional airports, by both airlines and airports.
Flash Back - Ms Schapelle Corby 24th May 2005
A must read document, topics - Whistleblowers to be encouraged - CCTV - costing to Airlines.
Source: http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/joint/commttee/j8666.pdf
Information extracted - Page.30
"The Debate"
Ms GRIERSON—When the Corby allegations were made that there may be systemic movement of drugs through passenger baggage—and therefore interference with passenger baggage—did Virgin, with your flights out of Brisbane and Sydney et cetera, do a review or any checks? Did it prompt you to look at any possibilities in your own operations?
Mr Scanlon—It certainly did. We looked at the potential for that to occur. Once again you have to look at the staffing issues and availability at those ports. Obviously it is something that we looked at with the airport authorities as to what we could do. We looked at the issues of CCTV, different methods of using the screening process and the availability of supervisors to be in certain areas when staff are there.
Ms GRIERSON—When the Corby allegations were made that there may be systemic movement of drugs through passenger baggage — and therefore interference with passenger baggage — did Virgin, with your flights out of Brisbane and Sydney et cetera, do a review or any checks? Did it prompt you to look at any possibilities in your own operations?
Mr Scanlon—It certainly did. We looked at the potential for that to occur. Once again you have to look at the staffing issues and availability at those ports. Obviously it is something that we looked at with the airport authorities as to what we could do. We looked at the issues of CCTV, different methods of using the screening process and the availability of supervisors to be in certain areas when staff are there.
Ms GRIERSON—So clearly the industry thought it was possible.
Mr Scanlon—There is always a possibility of anything. You can never say never, I suppose.
