Having a laugh? It’ll cost you

CANBERRA - Security officials at Australia's airports are now required by law to have no sense of humour.

Under tough new aviation security legislation the check-in warnings, saying airline staff take jokes about bombs seriously, will be replaced by criminal charges that could see fines of up to A$5500 ($5884) for even the most offhand one-liner.

Quips such as "it's only a machine gun" when asked if you are carrying any dangerous goods will not be tolerated.

The new laws do not permit officials to distinguish between humour and real threats.

"These sorts of jokes distress passengers and staff," Transport Minister John Anderson said.

"They are expensive to deal with and cause delays, because we have to take them seriously and carry out searches just in case they are not in fact jokes.

"If you are stupid enough to make joke threats about aviation security, you won't just miss your flight - you could end up with a A$5500 fine and a criminal record."

The dour approach to misplaced levity is part of a new package of laws to tighten even further the security that has steadily increased at Australian airports since the September 11 terror attacks.

Measures include hardened cockpit doors on airliners, armed air marshals on many flights and special funding to boost security for 144 airports and more than 100 air service operators.

All airlines are now required to train flight and cabin crews in self-defence and the use of "non-lethal protective devices".

Close screening of passengers and luggage now extends into the small services for rural and regional Australia. Airportswithout full screening equipment must train staff to use hand-held screening wands. All staff at airports handling regular passenger flights must undergo security screening.