"Australian airport security farce exposed"

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Airport security farce exposed
By Justin Vallejo
Australia - The Queensland Daily Telegraph


GAPING security flaws have been exposed at Sydney Airport, with a news team
able to gain easy and unfettered access to potential terror targets at
Australia's largest airport.

Access was granted to its most sensitive areas without any background checks
or security searches. These included the airport's 30-million-litre jet fuel
tanks, a number of 747 aircraft, refuelling stations, baggage cars, conveyor
belts and customs areas. 

With only photo ID, an airport contact and a cursory glance from contract
security guards, a Daily Telegraph reporter penetrated the inner sanctum of
the international airport without scrutiny of identity or motive. There were
no background and criminal history checks, no metal detectors, no bag or
body searches, and no explosives or drugs dogs.

The risks were exposed in the wake of the foiled terror plot to blow up New
York's JFK Airport and in the lead-up to APEC.

All it took to obtain 24-hour access was to go to the airport's security
office and have a holder of an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC)
request a "visitor pass". The only requirement was a driver's licence and
the pass was issued in five minutes - no questions asked.

Entering the tarmac via one of dozens of "back door" security gates, The
Daily Telegraph spent more than an hour moving unhindered to and from
potential terror targets. New airport staff members have the same access for
a maximum three months on temporary passes until the police background
checks, which take six to eight weeks, are conducted and an ASIC issued.

The condition of entry for both temporary and visitor pass holders is that
they are escorted by an ASIC holder, or face a fine of just $550. Once
inside it was assumed that all personnel were there for lawful reasons and
there were no further challenges to their legitimacy.

The security shortcomings leave the country's biggest airport vulnerable to
terrorist attacks on a scale rivalling the recent attempt on New York's JFK
Airport.

Four Muslim radicals were charged with conspiring to attack JFK airport by
blowing up jet fuel supply tanks, attempting to set off a chain reaction
along the network of fuel pipelines that would have killed thousands of
people and destroyed the airport.

Sydney Airport's aviation fuel pipelines also run under the airport and
along the tarmac. Even without access to the tarmac, the seven aviation fuel
tanks situated off Airport Drive are set back only 30m from a wire fence.

A Sydney Airport spokesman said the visitor and staff passes complied with
the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005.

"The Australian Government and its expert security assessment agencies have
determined these rules," the spokesman said.

On two separate occasions, The Daily Telegraph walked around the tanks for
about 30 minutes without being approached by security. The Transport Workers
Union's Sam Crosby said flawed security put thousands of airport workers and
passengers at risk.

 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php


*****************************************