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Organized crime targeted in Australian border security upgrade

Xinhua, February 11, 2016 Adjust font size:

It will soon be harder for known criminals and those linked with organized crime to access Australia's international transport links, after new laws to beef up airport and seaport security were introduced on Thursday.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss and Justice Minister Michael Keenan released a joint statement detailing amendments to Australia's aviation and maritime security acts, which will prevent those with a criminal past from accessing or working at Australia's international transport hubs.

Truss said the changes, which have been brought in to help stop organized crime from reaching Australia's shores, could save the Australian economy more than 26 billion U.S dollars every year.

"Organised crime is a serious threat to our national security and is also estimated to cost the Australian economy billions of dollars a year," Truss said on Thursday.

"These amendments deliver on the Australian Government's commitment to ensure that people with a relevant criminal history can never receive a security clearance to work at Australia's airports and seaports."

Meanwhile the nation's justice minister said the laws were designed to "protect the aviation and maritime transport systems against acts of terrorism and unlawful interference".

"Changes introduced today will boost our law enforcement agencies ability to combat transnational and domestic organised crime by introducing additional offences to capture high risk criminal activities," Keenan said.

"This will mean Australia's airports and seaports are less susceptible to exploitation from serious or organized crime.

"We know that Australia has become a target for organized criminals from all around the world because Australians are paying top dollar for the misery these crooks peddle like the drug ice."

The changes will enhance the Aviation and Maritime Security Identification Card (ASIC and MSIC) schemes that workers use in airports and seaports, with stricter screening on both new and existing ASIC and MSIC card holders to begin from July 1. Endit