US$127 MILLION BOOST FOR AUSSIE AIRPORT SECURITY

MELBOURNE, Feb 9 (Bernama) - The Australian Government has announced it will
spend A$200 million (US$127 million) over four years to boost security at
airports in the country.

Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the package of measures would
strengthen international and domestic aviation security against emerging
threats.

"The Christmas Day attempt to blow up a plane showed that no nation can
afford to be complacent when it comes to security," Rudd is quoted by the
Australian Associated Press (AAP) as telling reporters in Canberra Tuesday.

He said the government would spend A$28.5 million to help the industry pay
for a range of new screening technologies for airline passengers.

This would include the latest body scanners, the next generation of
multi-view X-ray machines, and bottle scanners which can detect liquid-based
explosives.

"Body scanners will be introduced progressively as an additional screening
measure at screening points servicing international departing passengers by
early 2011," Rudd said.

He said A$32 million would be set aside for additional screening at regional
airports used by large aircraft.

The government will also spend A$17.7 million to increase the number of
firearm and explosive-detection dogs at major airports by 50 per cent.

The government will provide A$18.2 million to boost security co-operation in
the Asia-Pacific region for international flights.

Another A$24.9 million will go to boosting intelligence sharing between
Customs and law enforcement agencies and improving technology to enable
passengers to be cleared faster.

The government will also introduce a number of measures to help secure
Australia's air cargo supply chain.
-- BERNAMA