Senator’s urgent briefing over AFP at airport
TASMANIAN Labor Senator Lisa Singh, right, has organised an urgent briefing with the Australian Federal Police over security at regional airports, including Hobart.
The AFP is due to address parliament’s Joint Committee on Law Enforcement in a fortnight.
AN URGENT briefing by the Australian Federal Police amid increased concerns about security at Hobart International Airport has been organised by Tasmanian Senator Lisa Singh.
The Labor MP has asked the AFP to brief parliament’s Joint Committee on Law Enforcement about security at regional airports. The briefing was due to be held yesterday but had been postponed for a fortnight.
“In light of the recent terrorism alert in Sydney, I have taken this serious step due to the continued absence of AFP officers from Hobart International Airport,” said Senator Singh, who is deputy chair of the committee.
“At a time when the Turnbull government is ramping up security at all major Australian airports and investigating how it can improve security at regional airports, it makes no sense for it to keep ignoring the gaping hole in security at Hobart International Airport.
“The security of Tasmanians and the million-plus visitors who come to our island, continues to be compromise d by the Turnbull government, all for a saving of just $22 million.”
Mr Turnbull has previously said an AFP presence at the airport was unnecessary but reportedly told Denison MP Andrew Wilkie the terminal’s security would be assessed as part of a national review.
Tasmanian Police Minister
Rene Hidding had written to Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan after authorities in Sydney broke up an alleged terror plot to bring down a domestic plane on July 29.
Mr Hidding said he was concerned about Hobart airport’s “lower level” of protection and urged Mr Keenan to “urgently consider
the permanent deployment of AFP officers” there.
Mr Keenan’s spokesman said Hobart airport’s security settings would be reviewed if its “risk profile” changed.
Mr Wilkie has called on the State Government to order Tasmania Police to “plug the gap” left by the AFP’s departure from the airport in 2014.