Post-madrid, Australia Is Feeling Vulnerable
The Sunday Age
Sunday March 21, 2004
There are limits to the security measures Australia can take to guard against terrorism. Mark Russell reports on how travellers on trains, boats and planes are protected.
Despite lessons from the Madrid bombings, which killed 201 commuters, train networks around the world remain highly vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Australia is no exception.
Federal Opposition Homeland Security spokesman Robert McClelland said it was inevitable someone would try to attack Australia, if not within the next year, perhaps the next five years.
Mr McClelland said public transport security had to become a priority.
``I think it has been generally accepted by most Western democracies that they have focused on critical infrastructure in airport security but left public transport pretty well alone.
``The problem is it's just unthinkable and unmanageable to contemplate screening anyone who gets on a train in the morning, to screen their school bag or their briefcase," Mr McClelland said.
``It is a much harder task than airport security, but nonetheless important."
According to the Victorian Rail, Tram and Bus Union president, Marc Marotta, there was nothing authorities could do to secure the state's public transport system. ``It's a public place where people can come and go and do what they want," Mr Marotta said.
He said security cameras at railway stations were not constantly monitored. Surveillance footage was viewed only when required as evidence of assault, theft or vandalism.
It was not feasible to have staff watch security cameras around the clock.
A Connex spokeswoman rejected the idea that trains were particularly vulnerable to a terrorist attack, saying the company's operating procedures met all Federal Police security requirements.
A spokeswoman for State Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said public transport operators had developed appropriate emergency plans with police and other agencies.
Federal Transport Minister John Anderson said recent improvements in aviation security were a sign of the Government's commitment to protecting travellers.
An explosives trace-detection system had been introduced and there was more passenger and luggage screening; more officers from Australian Protective Services were stationed at airports; air marshals were on international flights; and tighter controls in airport secure areas and on the movement of domestic and international cargo.
Security at Australian ports will be boosted by July 1 when more than 600 ports and port facilities and 70 Australian-controlled ships will have to meet tough new International Maritime Organisation counter-terrorism security standards.
Speaking on security matters at a federal joint parliamentary committee on aviation security late last year, Melbourne Airport Corporation operations manager Pamela Graham admitted it would be difficult to stop a light plane being flown into the airport's control tower or the West Gate Bridge, for example.
``Security is never going to be absolutely fail-safe," she said.
Ms Graham said the airport spent 15-20 per cent of its operating budget on security. Increased security measures have included more closed circuit TVs.
More than 100 security guards work in Melbourne Airport's three passenger screening areas.
Qantas has five X-ray machines and eight walk-through metal detectors at its Melbourne domestic terminal.
One security risk identified by Ms Graham was cars left unattended outside airport terminals.
The car owner is paged after two minutes, and if they cannot be found within five minutes a bomb appraisal officer checks the car for explosives before it is towed away.
Regional airports have been criticised as a possible weak link in aviation security because many lack metal detectors, do not screen baggage and staff wear no identification.
Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS) security expert Andrew Tongue told the committee his department, which is responsible for aviation security in Australia and has daily contact with ASIO and other intelligence agencies, was examining security at regional airports.
The Federal Government claims ASIO believes regional airports are not vulnerable at the moment but the situation is under constant review.
DOTARS has designated Melbourne Airport the state's only airfield requiring full security.
There are 11 security-designated airports in Australia - Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, Coolangatta, Cairns and Alice Springs.
A spokesman for Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said that aviation security had improved and security had been upgraded at many landmarks, including Sydney's Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Travel warning
As Australia prepares for the third and final cricket test in Sri Lanka, starting on Wednesday, the Federal Government has issued new travel advice warning people to avoid large public gatherings in Sri Lanka.
Officials expect violence could erupt ahead of elections on April 2, particularly given clashes between armed groups of rival factions.
It also said there was a possibility of terrorist attacks.
MELBOURNE'S TERROR WEAK SPOTS
ON THE DOCKS
From July 1, more than 600 ports and 70 Australian-controlled vessels will have to meet tough new International Maritime Organisation counter-terrorism security standards.
THE WEST GATE BRIDGE
A structure that is especially vulnerable to attack, especially by terrorists using light planes.
FLINDERS STREET STATION
The public transport system is "where people come and go, and do what they want", so there is little that can be done to make the stations and trains secure.
ESSENDON AIRPORT
Security at airports is "never going to be absolutely fail-safe", says Pamela Graham, Melbourne airport corporation's operation Manager.
WILLIAMSTOWN SHIPBUILDING YARDS
Port security is under review, but, when the findings come in, a key question will be who should foot the bill for security upgrades.
SYDNEY HOT SPOTS
1. Opera House
The ultimate Sydney icon that would make headlines around the world if attacked. Security has already been tightened restricting vehicle access. Police would not make visitors go through metal detectors and bag searches unless there was a specific threat.
2. Lucas Heights nuclear plant
Terror suspect Willie Brigitte reportedly had photos of the nuclear plant in his flat and told his French interrogators he planned an attack. There are plans to evacuate 13,000 residents within a 3-kilometre radius of the plant should a threat arise.
3. Harbour shipping
Last week's anti-terror summit was told the next threat could be terrorist controlled freight ships steaming straight into Sydney harbour and blowing themselves up under the Harbour Bridge or next to navy ships.
4. Harbour tunnel
5. Kurnell oil refinery
Considered a prime target during the Olympic Games, the refinery is where NSW gets its petrol supplies.
6. Parliament House and government offices in Macquarie Tower
Security is already very tight at these buildings, with all visitors to parliament screened and bags searched.
7. Circular Quay
Access is fairly open because of the many entrance points.
8. Town Hall station
9. Wynyard station
10. Central station
11. Sydney Airport
Already on high alert with more surveillance than anywhere else in the city.
12. Bankstown Airport
13. Prospect Reservoir Security at Sydney's main source of drinking water is being tightened to prevent unauthorised people approaching.
14. Centrepoint Tower
15. Garden Island
The navy base would be a target and kayaks have brushed against warships in the past.
16. Police headquarters Parramatta
The new police HQ will house all the top police in the near future.
17. Pitt St mall
Lunchtime crowds could be a target if terrorists find other major targets too well policed.
18. Big corporate headquarters
19. George St on Anzac Day
20. New Years Eve
At The Rocks, Darling Harbour and harbour foreshore.
THE OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE
Airports
AMERICA
• Photographing and fingerprinting all foreigners entering the US with a US visa stamped in their passports.
• Manually searching baggage as well as scanning it electronically
• Increasing the presence of armed guards, including some troops, at airports.
EUROPE
• France airport security involves several hundred troops patrolling stations and airports, with particular focus on the high speed rail links out of Paris.
Greece
• Has asked NATO to help protect it against a chemical, biological or nuclear attack.
Trains
AMERICA
• More undercover and uniformed guards at stations
• More sniffer dogs at stations
• Random searches of rubbish bins
• More video surveillance, the tagging of previously unmarked luggage and the demand for photo identification from passengers on inter-city trains.
EUROPE
• The Eurostar is the only European train that screens baggage and passengers. The entire European train network is without screening measures. Some countries, including Britain, France, Poland and Germany, have increased police/troop patrols at stations.
• Plain-clothes anti-terrorism officers patrolling trains and massive public awareness campaign on the London tube.
• Increased numbers of police patrols at German stations.
Ports
AMERICA
• New money for radiation detection devices to scan shipping containers for explosives and other weapons
• A protocol with 17 foreign ports for tighter security on cargo bound for America.
EUROPE
• Rapid response teams on England's Thames.
• Greek Coast Guard doing extra patrols.
-- Compiled Andrew West and Marion Frith
© 2004 The Sunday Age
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