New airport rules: Why you could be stopped for a security check
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has announced that new rules will allow police to stop anyone in an airline terminal who catches their attention.
Previously, police were only able to stop someone in an airport crowd if they suspected they were about to break a Commonwealth law.
Now, police will be able to demand identification from anyone who catches their eye, even though there is no requirement for Australians to carry ID.
Police training in behaviour traits have equipped them to know how to identify suspicious people in airport crowds.
AFP deputy commissioner Leanna Close told a Senate inquiry that people will be approached “if they look like they shouldn’t be there”.
“They may be hanging around a baggage carousel for extended periods of time without looking like they actually are going to meet anybody,” Mr Close said.
“And that can be potentially for a range of reasons that we would want to approach those people for, for both a security or potentially a criminal threat perspective.
“There’s a raft of behaviours that we train our officers in to be on the lookout for, and we also expect them to approach that person and have a conversation with them as well.
“If that doesn’t satisfy them currently they will be monitoring that person’s behaviour where they can.”
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin told a Senate inquiry that the new police stop-and-check powers won’t be based on racial, religious or ethnic characteristics.
"We do not make decisions around action based on religion, culture or ethnicity. We make decisions based on behaviour,” said Commissioner Colvin.
“We have very deep relationships with the multicultural community as well and we assure them all the time … there is no track record of us doing this. And I hope that will never change.”
Commissioner Colvin said increased police presence at airports was precautionary and would allow a quicker response to problems.
“Obviously policing concentrates on prevention of crime when we can, sometimes our presence alone is a disrupter of crime but I can’t say it is purely precautionary.”