Part-time security workers at Australian airports

Airline Industry Information, July 5, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

On Monday (4 July) Australia began using part-time workers such as university students and retired people to screen passengers at airports.

The test run at Sydney and Adelaide airports, which involves 23 people checking the passports of outgoing passengers, was criticised by the centre-left opposition, which claimed it would weaken border security. The Australian justice and customs minister dismissed the claims, saying the trial would be fully supervised, and adding that it could provide Customs with a workforce able to deal with peak periods at airports.

Trade unions also criticised the idea, claiming it was a "silly" attempt to cope with staff shortages.

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