Feds must be returned to airport: ALP

DIRECT flights from China must be accompanied by the return of the Australian Federal Police to Hobart Airport, Labor says.

Opposition Justice spokeswoman Clare O’Neil said Tasmanians had never had a satisfactory answer on why the AFP was removed from Hobart Airport and why it could not be reinstated.

“We are calling on the Turnbull Government to give a clear explanation as to why Hobart Airport is the only capital city airport in Australia with no AFP presence,” she said.

AFP officers stationed at the airport were withdrawn in October 2014, sparking howls of protest. Concerns also were raised by Tasmania Police and Denision MP Andrew Wilkie.

Ms O’Neil said with Hobart due to welcome direct freight and passenger flights from China, the AFP must be reinstated.

Ms O’Neil said she had met with Tasmania Police, the Federal Police Association and airport staff, who all told her they wanted the AFP returned.

Hobart’s airport is used for domestic flights and the occasional trip to Antarctica.

But Ms O’Neil stopped short of guaranteeing to reinstate the officers if Labor won government.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said security agencies continu- ously monitored the security risk of Australia’s airports.

“It has been determined that the security requirements at Hobart Airport are appropriate and proportionate to risk,” Mr Chester said.

“Airports are responsible for implementing security arrangements on a day-to-day basis, and anyone who sees anything suspicious or has information to report should contact police.”

Tasmanian Labor Senators Catryna Bilyk and Carol Brown last month introduced a motion that was passed in the federal Parliament that asked the Turnbull Government to explain why Hobart didn’t require an AFP presence.

Ms O’Neil said Tasmania should not have a different level of security to the rest of the country.