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Airport security worker suspended for screening Australian FM

Xinhua, December 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

A security worker at Melbourne airport has been suspended from her job after supposedly singling out Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop for screening.

It was revealed on Friday that Bishop was stopped by the worker while on her way to board a flight to the United Nations (UN) leader's summit in New York on Sept. 22.

The airport security worker, who is employed by contractor ISS, was temporarily suspended for the incident.

Fairfax Media reported that the ISS worker was stood down as she did not observe to the company's randomized selection process for all of its screening.

The worker has been reinstated to her role since the incident, according to a statement.

"The female ISS worker was suspended from duties as a result of not adhering to standard security screening procedures as required at an Australian international airport," Melbourne Airport said in a statement on Friday.

"The female worker has now returned to duties following additional process and customer service training."

According to a spokesperson for the foreign minister, Bishop did not lodge a complaint about the airport worker's actions, and did not feel singled out based on her political status.

"The foreign minister passes through hundreds of airport security checkpoints each year and is more than happy to be treated on the same basis as other travelers," the spokesperson said on Friday.

"Neither the minister nor anyone from her office has made any official complaint regarding her transit through Melbourne Airport at any time."

Bishop later came under fire for another reason over the course of her New York trip, with the foreign minister criticized for inviting boyfriend, David Panton, to sit beside her on the floor of the UN General Assembly. Endit