Australia pledges to tackle airport crime

CANBERRA - The Australian federal government will hire an international security expert to check for criminals operating in the country's main airports, Transport Minister John Anderson said today.

The government has been forced to defend its security checks following a Customs report revealing some Sydney airport workers had been involved in drug smuggling and stealing, and that some could pose a terrorist threat.

The report, leaked to The Australian newspaper, detailed serious security breaches and illegal activity by baggage handlers, aircrew, ramp and trolley workers, security screeners and cleaners.

It also was revealed today a man who had served eight years in jail for drug smuggling was still working at Sydney airport.

Justice Minister Chris Ellison said yesterday he had asked the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) to conduct a national intelligence operation against criminal activity at airports.

Mr Anderson today announced a further check, saying he would enlist the help of an international expert.

"I think it would be appropriate to have the best international expert we can identify and get into Australia to do a complete audit of our security arrangements, because I understand community concern," Mr Anderson told Southern Cross radio.

"It's terribly important we take every step we can."

Mr Anderson said he was also considering fresh background checks for airport workers who had criminal histories.

The Customs report said 39 security screeners out of 500 at the airport had serious criminal convictions, a further 39 had been convicted of minor matters, while 14 had a questionable immigration status and two had been referred to the immigration department as illegal immigrants.

Mr Anderson said the recent issuing of new security passes to airport workers focused on terrorism, rather than crime, and it was possible people who had served jail sentences were employed at airports.

But despite the terrorism checks, Mr Anderson said he could not categorically state whether all airport workers had been cleared of terrorist links.

"I can't say with compete certainty that we haven't got people out there who may have links that ASIO (the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) hasn't been able to establish," Mr Anderson said.

"But I do have a high degree of confidence in ASIO and in the Australian Federal Police and DIMIA (immigration department)."

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said today he believed convicted criminals should not be allowed to work at airports.

"Airports are very high-security areas," he told ABC radio.

"Potentially, you have great opportunities around airports for mischief.

"I would have thought that that sort of consideration ought to be overriding."

Opposition homeland security spokesman Robert McClelland said it was about time the ACC conducted an inquiry into the issue.

"It is something we have been calling for -- an independent investigator with full powers, arm's length from government," he told reporters.

- AAP