SECURITY STEP-UP
New push to get Feds back at airport
THE weekend’s foiled Sydney terror plot has intensified pressure to bring federal police back to Hobart Airport. Tasmania police stepped into the breach yesterday as airport security was ramped up around the country in response to Saturday’s failed bid to get an explosive device aboard a commercial flight.
Police Minister Rene Hidding said the State Government was now more determined than ever that the AFP return to Tasmania.
Premier Will Hodgman is understood to have discussed a review of security arrangements at Hobart Airport with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull as stakeholders from all sides of politics united in calls for the Federal Government to reinstate the AFP.
A FOILED terror plot to bring down a plane in New South Wales will increase pressure on the Federal Government to return Australian Federal Police to Hobart Airport.
Four men were arrested on Saturday by NSW and Federal Police in relation to an alleged plot to bring down a plane using an improvised device.
The arrests led to security boosts at all major Australian airports, including additional baggage checks and security screening in Hobart.
Tasmania Police was briefed on the Sydney incident, with Deputy Commissioner Scott Tilyard describing the terror plot as a “credible threat”.
Police Minister Rene Hidding said the State Government maintained its position that the AFP should return.
“(The Federal Government has) pointed out to us that it’s not an international airport and we’ve pointed out to them that as soon as it is again, we expect a full complement to return,” Mr Hidding said.
“Our position is that the AFP shouldn’t have gone, they should be there now.
“You can rest assured that as a result of this weekend’s activities I certainly at least will be writing to my federal counterpart pointing out that it would have been better under these circumstances to have had an AFP presence at Hobart.”
The Mercury has been told Premier Will Hodgman yesterday discussed a review of security arrangements at Hobart Airport with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull as stakeholders from all sides of politics united in calls for the Federal Government to reinstate the AFP.
However, the Federal Government has still not committed to reconsidering the arrangements.
Deputy Commissioner Tilyard said security measures at Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Wynyard airports had been increased, and he believed the Sydney incident strengthened the case for the AFP to return to Hobart Airport.
“The individuals involved had both the intent and capability to possibly conduct an attack,” Deputy Commissioner Tilyard said.
The AFP was withdrawn from Hobart Airport in 2014 due to a $22 million Commonwealth Budget cut, forcing Tasmania Police to fill the void.
The AFP is responsible for law enforcement at nine Australian airports — Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Independent Denison MHR Andrew Wilkie said the argument that Hobart Airport did not require an AFP presence because it was not an international airport was illogical, given the government itself said the terror threat in Australia was homegrown.
“The Sydney terror raids highlight the madness in the Federal Government’s pigheadedness not to return the federal police to Hobart Airport,” Mr Wilkie said.
“The simple fact is the terrorism threat in Australia is homegrown and a capital city airport is a very high-profile and iconic target for those would-be terrorists among us.
Tasmanian Labor Senator Carol Brown said there was no justification for the lack of AFP at Hobart Airport.
“The events in Sydney and increased security at airports should highlight to the Prime Minister the need to reinstate the AFP at Hobart Airport,” Senator Brown said.
“It beggars belief that Hobart Airport is the only capital city airport in Australia without an AFP presence.”
Those sentiments were echoed by state deputy Labor leader Michelle O’Byrne, who called for a swift return of the AFP to Hobart and Launceston airports.
Police Association of Tasmania president Pat Allen agreed that the AFP should return to Hobart Airport, but failing that the Federal Government should provide additional funding to Tasmania Police.
“The staff and public that go through Hobart Airport have as much right to feel safe as any other airport around the country. That’s not the case at this time,” Mr Allen said.
Federal Transport Minister Darren Chester said the additional measures applied to other Australian airports yes- terday were applied to Hobart Airport based on security advice.
Asked about reinstating the AFP at Hobart Airport, Mr Chester said only that security agencies would continue to assess the threat posed by indi- viduals or groups and “will determine whether other changes to aviation security measures are warranted”.
Meanwhile, security measures at Hobart Airport were ramped up yesterday.
Loudspeaker announce-
ments warned of check-in delays due to the additional screening, as police patrolled through the airport.
Travellers Dean and Lizzy Johnson were returning to Melbourne after a weekend at Cradle Mountain.
They said despite both being tested for explosives they moved quickly through security checks.
Melbourne’s Paul Turcan and Elise Maher relayed a similar experience, saying progress through security with three children had been quick, easy and stress-free despite the explosives testing.
Police have advised travellers through Tasmanian airports to allow extra time in light of the additional screening. They are yet to determine how long the measures will remain in place.
Police said passengers should remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to police on triple-0 (000) or contact the National Security Hotline 1800 123 400.