Parliament has passed new laws which will strengthen screening arrangements for air cargo, in line with the Aviation White Paper released last year.
Under the changes parcels and other freight will be security checked and certified earlier in the supply chain, before they are consolidated. This will replace the practice of aircraft operators conducting security checks once freight items are consolidated, meaning that operators may have to certify goods packed by others earlier in the supply chain.
“It is common sense to check and certify individual parcels and articles rather than large consolidated shipments at the airport,” said Transport Minister Anthony Albanese. “ The new laws will make sure all cargo transported by aircraft is cleared and then handled by agents with appropriate security clearance.”
The Minister added that the government will now undertake consultation with the industry on installing x-ray equipment at freight depots, with $54.2 million allocated to installing it.
