Australia deploys new counterterrorism units at airports
Australian government giving high priority to reducing the domestic terrorism threat created by homegrown extremists who travel to Syria and Iraq to fight
New counterterrorism units have been working at Australia’s two largest airports since last week and had already intercepted a person of interest, the prime minister said on Wednesday.
Tony Abbott said the units operating at Sydney and Melbourne Airports would soon be introduced at all Australian international airports to monitor the movements of travellers on security watch lists. Biometric screening of passengers will also be introduced at all airports.
“I’m advised that these new units have already intercepted at least one person of interest,” Abbott told parliament. “This government will do – I’m sure this parliament will do – everything that is reasonably necessary to keep our country safe.”
The move is focused on passengers arriving and leaving the country.
The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service on Wednesday did not immediately supply details of the person of interest, or say if charges had been laid.
Sky News television reported that a man was prevented from flying with his family from Melbourne to Lebanon this week and was detained for questioning.