❓ Mr. Stephens questions the reasonableness of the federal government's timetable and funding for regional airport baggage screening upgrades. Minister MacTiernan agrees, citing equipment shortages, inadequate funding, and unclear regulations.
AnsweredQoN 557Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
REGIONAL AIRPORTS - BAGGAGE SCREENING
Does the minister share my concerns that the timetable and level of assistance - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Member, thank you. We are unable to hear the member due to interruptions by the member for Darling Range and the member for Cottesloe, who are now both called to order. Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Does the minister share my concerns that the timetable and level of assistance being offered to regional airports to implement new commonwealth baggage screening is unreasonable? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN
Does the minister share my concerns that the timetable and level of assistance - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Member, thank you. We are unable to hear the member due to interruptions by the member for Darling Range and the member for Cottesloe, who are now both called to order. Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Does the minister share my concerns that the timetable and level of assistance being offered to regional airports to implement new commonwealth baggage screening is unreasonable? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question and I thank him for bringing the issue to our attention on behalf of his community over the past couple of weeks. We certainly support the federal government’s decision to require airports that service commercial jet aircraft to screen baggage with explosive trace-detection equipment. However, it is true that the timetable and the funding provided by the commonwealth government are completely inadequate. The federal government requires the equipment to be in place by December 2007, and full multi-view X-ray screening of baggage is required to be in place by December 2008. Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Member, thank you. We are unable to hear the member due to interruptions by the member for Darling Range and the member for Cottesloe, who are now both called to order. Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Does the minister share my concerns that the timetable and level of assistance being offered to regional airports to implement new commonwealth baggage screening is unreasonable? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for his question and I thank him for bringing the issue to our attention on behalf of his community over the past couple of weeks. We certainly support the federal government’s decision to require airports that service commercial jet aircraft to screen baggage with explosive trace-detection equipment. However, it is true that the timetable and the funding provided by the commonwealth government are completely inadequate. The federal government requires the equipment to be in place by December 2007, and full multi-view X-ray screening of baggage is required to be in place by December 2008. Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Member, thank you. We are unable to hear the member due to interruptions by the member for Darling Range and the member for Cottesloe, who are now both called to order. Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Does the minister share my concerns that the timetable and level of assistance being offered to regional airports to implement new commonwealth baggage screening is unreasonable? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for his question and I thank him for bringing the issue to our attention on behalf of his community over the past couple of weeks. We certainly support the federal government’s decision to require airports that service commercial jet aircraft to screen baggage with explosive trace-detection equipment. However, it is true that the timetable and the funding provided by the commonwealth government are completely inadequate. The federal government requires the equipment to be in place by December 2007, and full multi-view X-ray screening of baggage is required to be in place by December 2008. Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Does the minister share my concerns that the timetable and level of assistance being offered to regional airports to implement new commonwealth baggage screening is unreasonable? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for his question and I thank him for bringing the issue to our attention on behalf of his community over the past couple of weeks. We certainly support the federal government’s decision to require airports that service commercial jet aircraft to screen baggage with explosive trace-detection equipment. However, it is true that the timetable and the funding provided by the commonwealth government are completely inadequate. The federal government requires the equipment to be in place by December 2007, and full multi-view X-ray screening of baggage is required to be in place by December 2008. Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for his question and I thank him for bringing the issue to our attention on behalf of his community over the past couple of weeks. We certainly support the federal government’s decision to require airports that service commercial jet aircraft to screen baggage with explosive trace-detection equipment. However, it is true that the timetable and the funding provided by the commonwealth government are completely inadequate. The federal government requires the equipment to be in place by December 2007, and full multi-view X-ray screening of baggage is required to be in place by December 2008. Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
I thank the member for his question and I thank him for bringing the issue to our attention on behalf of his community over the past couple of weeks. We certainly support the federal government’s decision to require airports that service commercial jet aircraft to screen baggage with explosive trace-detection equipment. However, it is true that the timetable and the funding provided by the commonwealth government are completely inadequate. The federal government requires the equipment to be in place by December 2007, and full multi-view X-ray screening of baggage is required to be in place by December 2008. Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
We certainly support the federal government’s decision to require airports that service commercial jet aircraft to screen baggage with explosive trace-detection equipment. However, it is true that the timetable and the funding provided by the commonwealth government are completely inadequate. The federal government requires the equipment to be in place by December 2007, and full multi-view X-ray screening of baggage is required to be in place by December 2008. Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Member, thank you. We are unable to hear the member due to interruptions by the member for Darling Range and the member for Cottesloe, who are now both called to order. Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Does the minister share my concerns that the timetable and level of assistance being offered to regional airports to implement new commonwealth baggage screening is unreasonable? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for his question and I thank him for bringing the issue to our attention on behalf of his community over the past couple of weeks. We certainly support the federal government’s decision to require airports that service commercial jet aircraft to screen baggage with explosive trace-detection equipment. However, it is true that the timetable and the funding provided by the commonwealth government are completely inadequate. The federal government requires the equipment to be in place by December 2007, and full multi-view X-ray screening of baggage is required to be in place by December 2008. Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Member, thank you. We are unable to hear the member due to interruptions by the member for Darling Range and the member for Cottesloe, who are now both called to order. Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Does the minister share my concerns that the timetable and level of assistance being offered to regional airports to implement new commonwealth baggage screening is unreasonable? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for his question and I thank him for bringing the issue to our attention on behalf of his community over the past couple of weeks. We certainly support the federal government’s decision to require airports that service commercial jet aircraft to screen baggage with explosive trace-detection equipment. However, it is true that the timetable and the funding provided by the commonwealth government are completely inadequate. The federal government requires the equipment to be in place by December 2007, and full multi-view X-ray screening of baggage is required to be in place by December 2008. Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
Mr T.G. STEPHENS : Does the minister share my concerns that the timetable and level of assistance being offered to regional airports to implement new commonwealth baggage screening is unreasonable? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for his question and I thank him for bringing the issue to our attention on behalf of his community over the past couple of weeks. We certainly support the federal government’s decision to require airports that service commercial jet aircraft to screen baggage with explosive trace-detection equipment. However, it is true that the timetable and the funding provided by the commonwealth government are completely inadequate. The federal government requires the equipment to be in place by December 2007, and full multi-view X-ray screening of baggage is required to be in place by December 2008. Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for his question and I thank him for bringing the issue to our attention on behalf of his community over the past couple of weeks. We certainly support the federal government’s decision to require airports that service commercial jet aircraft to screen baggage with explosive trace-detection equipment. However, it is true that the timetable and the funding provided by the commonwealth government are completely inadequate. The federal government requires the equipment to be in place by December 2007, and full multi-view X-ray screening of baggage is required to be in place by December 2008. Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
I thank the member for his question and I thank him for bringing the issue to our attention on behalf of his community over the past couple of weeks. We certainly support the federal government’s decision to require airports that service commercial jet aircraft to screen baggage with explosive trace-detection equipment. However, it is true that the timetable and the funding provided by the commonwealth government are completely inadequate. The federal government requires the equipment to be in place by December 2007, and full multi-view X-ray screening of baggage is required to be in place by December 2008. Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
We certainly support the federal government’s decision to require airports that service commercial jet aircraft to screen baggage with explosive trace-detection equipment. However, it is true that the timetable and the funding provided by the commonwealth government are completely inadequate. The federal government requires the equipment to be in place by December 2007, and full multi-view X-ray screening of baggage is required to be in place by December 2008. Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
Firstly, there is insufficient equipment available around the world to be able to deliver on that timetable. We understand that there are only two manufacturers of this equipment worldwide, and fewer than twelve machines are on the shelf at any one time. Some 80 machines would be required in Australia alone just to meet that timetable. Quite clearly, the timetable that has been set is not adequate. Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
Secondly, an inadequate funding regime has been put in place. The money allocated by the commonwealth will cover only about 30 per cent of the total cost of equipping airports. It does not take into account the necessity to physically extend many of these airport buildings to enable airports to carry out this function. Once again, the necessity to undertake that work makes it impossible to meet the timetable imposed by the commonwealth. To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
To further complicate matters, the federal government is yet to show the airports the precise nature of the regulations, which means that the degree of screening required is not all clear. It is necessary for airports to understand whether every bag has to be screened or whether screening will simply be random so that they can determine the staffing requirements. We know just how difficult it is to get staff in the north of the state for any activity, let alone for this type of activity. In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
In all, a set of unrealistic targets is being imposed on regional Western Australia. I will write to the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services today to ensure that he understands that while we support this matter in principle, it is absolutely critical that the federal government allow the airports adequate time to put this in place. It is also critical that, in recognition of the vast resources and wealth contributed to the commonwealth government by communities such as Port Hedland and Karratha, the federal government provides adequate funding to enable communities to meet the new standards.
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