A trial of new body imaging technology has begun at Sydney International Airport, as part of the federal government’s $200 million ‘Strengthening Aviation Security’ initiative.
The body scanner trial, which is expected to be rolled out at other Australian international airports later this year, will use low-energy millimetre-waves to detect metal and non-metal items under clothing, presented on a generic human outline. Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese was present at the trial’s launch yesterday and became the first person to use the body scanner.
“The equipment on trial today is the most advanced passenger screening technology available in the world and is part of the government’s commitment to protecting the travelling public,” Albanese said.
“The scanners are perfectly safe and one body scan emits 10,000 times less radio frequency energy than an average mobile phone call. The machines will only produce a generic outline of a passenger which appears like a stick figure and no images will be stored or shared,” he added.
The trial will only be offered to passengers on a voluntary basis and will finish on August 19.
