A senate inquiry report into airport and aviation security has not supported the findings of the Aviation Safety Regulation Review in relation to Aviation Security Identification Cards (ASIC).
The ASRR (Forsyth Report) recommended that ASICs should be needed only for security restricted areas, not for general airside access, which is the current requirement at any airport that has regular public transport.
Although the report from the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee (RRAT), tabled in the senate yesterday almost two years after its was first due, acknowledges the findings of the Forsyth Report and submissions made to it, the RRAT makes no recommendations to address the issue.
"The committee notes that the ASIC scheme has undergone constant review and alteration," the report states, "particular in recent years and within the heightened security environment. While the committee is supportive of strong and effective security screening and processes, it acknowledges concerns regarding the impact of constant review and change to the ASIC regime.
"Ongoing change makes it difficult for regulators, issuers, card holders and airports to understand and apply the most current version of the regulations and the most stringent security parameters.
"Constant change also leads to confusion and therefore increases the scope for people to circumnavigate the ever-changing rules."
The RRAT report does recommend the government assess the need to establish a central issuing agency for ASICs.
Among other recommendations the report makes are:
- Future aviation security reviews should be risk-based
- Visitor Identification Card (VIC) processing be strengthened
- The government implement the regional security awareness package