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Body scanners will be introduced by Australian immigration at Australian international airports by next year.
09 February 2010
Body scanners to be introduced by Australian immigration
Australian international airports will have body scanners by next year as part of a $200 million security boost.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the body scanners and other security measures were recommended to the Federal Government in the wake of the attempted Christmas Day terrorism attack on a flight to Detroit in the US.
The body scanners will be rolled out by Australian immigration from next year, and will screen travellers departing from Australia.
"The Government's priority is to maximise the safety and security of Australians and the Australian travelling public," Mr Rudd said.
Other measures in the Australian immigration security upgrade include more training for screening staff, increasing the number of explosive detection dogs, and more Australian officers at entry locations to Australia.
Some $50 million will also be spent to install cargo X-ray screening and explosive trace detection technology and about $11 million will be spent on improved identification of Australian visa applicants who could pose a security risk.
Due to the privacy fears surrounding the use of body scanners, as they produce near naked images of passengers, the Privacy Commissioner will be involved in the rollout.
The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people lodge their Australian Visa applications with the Australian Embassy.
