Senator Stephen Parry
Deputy President of the Senate
Liberal, Tasmania
MEDIA RELEASE
Friday 25 May 2012
Maritime Security Changes Cautiously Welcomed
Senator Stephen Parry has today cautiously welcomed the long-awaited action by the Federal Government to pick up key recommendations of the inquiry into the Adequacy of Aviation and Maritime Security Measures to Combat Serious and Organised Crime.
The Joint Committee on Law Enforcement initiated the inquiry on 14 September 2009 and the report was issued in June 2011, after almost 2 years of extensive investigation by the committee.
“As a member of the committee I travelled across Australia, and overseas, extensively investigating our waterfront areas, picking up key evidence from a wide range of law enforcement agencies including state and federal police to assist in developing the key recommendations,” Senator Stephen Parry said today.
“Whilst I welcome the commencement of these initiatives, I remain cautiously optimistic as I don’t know where the Federal Government is going to find the money to fund these important and essential changes.
“One of the most important key recommendations to be adopted is the introduction of legislation to provide powers to revoke or refuse a Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC) or an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) to a person based on compelling criminal intelligence rather than a court-tested conviction as has been the case in the past. The legislation will also expand the list of offences for which an MSIC or ASIC can be refused to include offences that relate to serious or organised crime.”
“I welcome the fact that the hard work and report done by the committee has been supported by law enforcement agencies across Australia. It is imperative that the Federal Government sees this through,” concluded Senator Parry.
Download Report into Adequacy of Aviation and Maritime Security Measures to Combat Serious and Organised Crime:
http___www.aphref_.aph_.gov_.au_senate_committee_le_ctte_aviation_maritime_report_report_.pdf
Senator Stephen Parry Deputy President of the Senate Liberal, Tasmania
