Gerard Rennick (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Security of its citizens is the core function of any government. All of us in this place take this extremely seriously. Threats are ever-changing, and we as a society must continue to innovate and remain vigilant. Stopping terrorism remains a key national security concern—one this government is unashamedly committed to.

Those who seek to prevent terrorism must always be given appropriate tools, training and powers to ensure that they are able to keep us safe. This Transport Security Amendment (Testing and Training) Bill 2019 is measured, appropriate, well-considered and forward thinking. It represents good government listening and acting. Whilst COVID-19 means that air traffic is at its most limited in living memory, we as a responsible and intelligent government have already planned for life after coronavirus. Ensuring our national security when planes begin to fly again is extremely important and should not be taken lightly. Vigilance is the price of our freedom.

Aviation security inspectors in the Department of Home Affairs play an utterly critical role in ensuring Australia's aviation security is first class. Australia is extremely lucky we have avoided the kinds of tragedies we have seen in other parts of the world to this point. We must always remain alert to these threats and seek to stay well ahead of them. Criminals are sophisticated and adjust to new technology and methods as quickly as they are created. This bill is designed to equip screeners with the skills and technology needed to stay ahead of the curve. The increasing complexity around criminal activity means that constantly updating, upskilling and retraining screeners is an unfortunate but necessary reality.

Like any good government policy, this has been done in response to a well-informed, thorough and independent inquiry. This bill will allow for an appropriate screener training and accreditation scheme. This is important because quality assurance in this area is critical. This bill creates a clear standard of competency for the screening workforce. This is just good common sense. We know all too well what happens when those entrusted with important security matters lack sufficient training. It can lead to disasters like the one we have seen in Victoria. Quality assurance is critical.

The screener training and accreditation scheme strengthens all training requirements for screeners at airports, seaports and air cargo facilities. It creates a well researched framework for new screening qualifications. This means new entrants will be amongst the best trained in the world. Screeners will also be required to meet the national standards of skill and competence and will be required to pass annual accreditation—in other words, lifelong training to adapt to issues as they evolve.

This bill will also ensure that best practice is followed when it comes to carrying out regulatory compliance activities. This is critical. All of our Public Service should be of the highest quality. This bill creates a framework for the introduction of a national screener training and accreditation program and also allows the departmental secretary to prescribe requirements for skills and training as they evolve. This is an important step, as expert recommendations and flexibility will be the tools needed going forward to ensure that we are ready, agile and capable of adapting to threats as they arise.

One important part of this bill is the ability of aviation security inspectors to conduct tests at locations beyond screening points without the risk of breaching any other laws. This is an important step in ensuring that the whole of our airports is able to be secure and safe. It is no good to engage in half measures around these sorts of matters; those who seek to harm our citizens will not. By exempting aviation security inspectors from prosecution when they are engaging in covert testing of security systems we are making sure our airports are ready for and resilient to any threats that may arise. This bill allows an aviation security inspector to conduct covert tests of aviation security systems at all regulated locations under the aviation act. Again, this is just commonsense thinking. Prospective terrorist attacks will not occur under supervised or controlled conditions.

It is important to pressure test all systems. Just as football players train to simulate game day, so should our security systems be prepared for any eventuality. Inspectors will use test pieces that simulate weapons and other contraband during tests. This goes to the true purpose of this bill, which is to ensure our security systems are as rigorous and ready for a real threat as possible. These tests will be coordinated and supervised by the Department of Home Affairs and local law enforcement. To allow realistic tests to occur, the bill amends the aviation act to ensure that aviation security inspectors can perform the full complement of their duties. To do this, they are provided with an express authority to undertake system security tests at security controlled airports and at aviation industry premises located outside the boundary of such airports. This is a sensible, pragmatic step that acknowledges that terrorists could seek to target any weakness in our security apparatus.

Another important power granted to our security inspectors by this bill is the ability for aviation security inspectors to conduct system tests on aircraft, providing, of course, they give reasonable notice to operators. This balances the twin goals of minimising commercial disruption and ensuring that tests are realistic. Most importantly, there will be immunity from prosecution, both civil and criminal, under laws of all tiers government for security inspectors if they are conducting a test that is sensible and critical in good faith. It is ridiculous to think that this has not been the case previously. Obviously, there would be exceptions in the case of inspectors who go too far and risk injury or serious property damage. It is most important to ensure that situations like bomb-training exercises do not open our hardworking officers up to litigation. These system tests mimic possible terrorist attack pathways and probe for potential weaknesses or deficiencies. Inspector test-screening authorities are able to meet their regulatory obligations and detect the presence of a fake weapon and deny entry to the person carrying it.

Overall, this bill is an important step towards ensuring that our air travel industry remains one of the safest and best in the world. As a country which is vast and wide and distant from much of the globe, it is critically important that we have an airline industry that maintains best practice in all areas. I commend the bill to the Senate. When Australians do eventually get back in the air, it will be important to ensure that they do so in the knowledge that they are safe.