Today Labor called on Senator Eric Abetz and the Abbott Government to reverse its decision to remove the Australian Federal Police from Hobart Airport.
“As the Government removes the last AFP officers from Hobart International Airport this month, Hobart will be left as the only capital city not to have the full-time protection of the Australian Federal Police at its airport,” said Labor Senator for Tasmania, Lisa Singh.
“The removal of Australian Federal Police Officers treats Tasmania as a second rate state and undermines airport security.
“The AFP is an invaluable deterrent for crime. At a time of heightened national security their presence is needed more than ever.
“We know that the AFP presence provided a deterrent to crime at Hobart Airport. The Abbott government is playing politics with the safety of Tasmania and that simply isn’t good enough.
“Thousands of locals and tourists pass through Hobart Airport every day. Cutting security makes these people more vulnerable and has a direct effect on Tasmania’s reputation as a safe place.
In Budget Estimates in May, AFP Commissioner Tony Negus confirmed the AFP would have preferred to stay at Hobart Airport and admitted that “without the 27 full-time officers, there will be a different delivery of that security”.
“Clearly Eric Abetz does not regard Hobart worthy of the same level of safety and security as every other capital city,” said Senator Singh.
“By removing almost 27 jobs from Tasmania the Abbott Government is compromising the security of Tasmanians and that of the almost 1 million visitors we have each year on which our tourism industry depends.”
SENATOR LISA SINGH SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER LABOR SENATOR FOR TASMANIA
