Albanese quiet on airport body scanners

Nine News ^ | January 10, 2010

[myknowledge]

Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to say whether Australia will adopt full body scanners at major airports, following a meeting with a high-ranking US security official in Sydney.

Mr Albanese on Sunday held a one-hour meeting with Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security, Jane Holl Lute, where the pair discussed their respective countries' approaches to airline security.

The US boosted its airport security in the wake of the attempted airline bombing on Christmas Day, and required stricter security procedures for all US bound flights.

But despite a US push for other countries to adopt the body scanners, which allow airport security to see underneath passengers' clothes, Mr Albanese would not comment on their introduction in Australia.

The government was waiting a report on a 2008 trial of the scanners before making any decision, he said.

"When it comes to full body scanning we'll receive that report and then the government will give it appropriate consideration," Mr Albanese told reporters at Sydney Airport.

"It's appropriate that I wait for that report, and when it comes to aviation security and all these issues what's important is that people not make running commentary, but that people give evidence-based responses."

While Mr Albanese would not reveal what was discussed at Sunday's meeting, he said Ms Holl Lute had not requested Australia adopt the body scanners.

"I'm not going to go into the details of the discussion that took place," he said.

"What did occur was a constructive discussion, it wasn't a case of requests being made by the United States or requests being made by Australia."

[myknowledge]

It's good that Albanese is displaying reluctance for introduction of these privacy-invading machines at Australian airports.

[BuffaloJack]

It isn’t the contraptions or the ability to identify a terrorist.
The problem lies in acting on the information to thwart the terrorist.
This will never happen in a bureaucracy run by socialists and people worried about being PC.

[OrangeHoof]

“You know, these full-body scanners are working fantastically.”

“Yeah, but we can’t seem to get many buyers. They all say it’s wayyyy too expensive.”

“How can we increase sales?”

“I think I know how. Get Ahmed on the phone.... Hey, Ahmed, do you still know those terrorists we talked about last month? It might be time to give them a call. Sure, we can give you a commission. Will even toss in some new undies, so we have a deal? Great!!”