Australian Federal Police (AFP) on duty at airports are to be given extra powers to enable them to direct a person to provide proof of their identity; ‘move on’ from the airport premises; or not take a flight, if they believe the person poses a criminal or security threat.
Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton said the Police Powers at Airports Bill 2018 expanded their existing powers in airports which could be focal points for illicit drug trafficking and gang-related activity.
Mr Dutton said he had seen “the incredible fear and heartache caused by terrorists around the world who wish to target the aviation network,” and Australia was at risk.
“While Australia already has strong and comprehensive aviation security, we need to remain ahead of this very real and evolving threat,” Mr Dutton said.
He said airports could provide pathways for serious and organised crime groups to expand their operations and see devastating flow-on effects for our community.
He said police at airports were highly-trained in behavioural analysis and threat assessments.
“However, they did not currently have the power to check ID unless they could link behaviour to a specific offence.”
He said the measures had been developed on advice from the AFP that current identity checking powers were no longer fit-for-purpose in consideration of the current national security environment at airports.
“Police will exercise identity checking powers based on clear criteria in the legislation and rely on their specialist expertise and training,” Mr Dutton said.
“Police will not have the power to check the identity of people at random in the airport environment,” he said.