Transport Outputs and Programmes

Australia's transport safety investigation regime is set out in the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003. The Act empowers the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) to:

• investigate safety incidents and accidents involving civil aviation, shipping and the defined interstate rail network
• have primacy in investigation unless there is a clear case of unlawful interference such as terrorism, and
• conduct 'no blame' investigations where the focus is on learning to improve future safety rather than on criminal or civil liability.

Aviation investigation regime 'highly satisfactory'

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is the United Nations (UN) body that sets international standards for civil aviation. In May/June 2004 ICAO conducted an audit, at the ATSB's request, of Australia's transport safety investigation regime.

The audit provided an opportunity to establish Australia's level of compliance with its international obligations under Annex 13 to the ICAO treaty, and to assess our performance against international best practice. In its October 2004 report, ICAO:

• commended the positive and professional approach we took in proactively seeking the audit, as well as our very comprehensive training policy and programme
• was 'highly satisfied' with the legislative and organisational framework set up by Australia and the ATSB
• reviewed sample investigations in depth, reporting that 'despite multiple difficult circumstances in each of the investigations reviewed, the investigators appeared to have managed the investigation tasks in a professional and efficient manner', and
• found that 'safety issues were properly addressed and the processing of reports of the investigations was generally accomplished in a timely manner'.

As expected, ICAO recommended changes to some processes and documentation. We have formally responded to all ICAO recommendations and ICAO's report rates our proposed response as 'fully acceptable'.

For a copy of ICAO's report, visit http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2004/icao_audit.aspx

Helping re-write the book on major accident investigation

Australia is one of only six countries that ICAO has invited to help rewrite its major accident manual - the Manual of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation. The manual is being updated in stages and the ATSB is contributing to updates of the various modules as required.

Setting new standards for rail and maritime investigation

Australia has also made significant progress in standards for rail and maritime investigations. We are:

• among only a few countries in the world to investigate rail safety accidents on a national basis
• helping redraft the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Code for the Investigation of Marine Casualties and Incidents, and
• co-sponsors with Canada and Vanuatu of a proposal that the revised IMO code be made mandatory under the provisions of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974.

Our maritime and rail investigation teams are also implementing, where relevant, recommendations arising from the ICAO audit of civil aviation safety investigation.

Industry and regulators taking safety action earlier

Safety regulators, manufacturers and operators are encouraged to take steps to improve safety as investigations progress, and prefer to report positive action taken rather than making formal recommendations.

This approach saw fewer recommendations issued in 2004-05 than in previous years, particularly in aviation where we only issued 21 recommendations compared to 62 in 2002-03.

Aviation safety messages well accepted

In 2004-05 the ATSB instigated and released reports on around 30 per cent more investigations than in 2003-04, reflecting a boost in funding for aviation safety investigation. High profile reports released in 2004-05 included reports on:

• a fatal Cessna C404 accident at Jandakot Airport WA
• a fatal emergency medical services (EMS) helicopter accident near Mackay Qld, and
• the Boeing 737 terrain proximity warning incident near Canberra.

Aviation safety messages continued to be well accepted, with operators, manufacturers and regulators undertaking significant safety actions in cooperation with our investigations.

For example, following ATSB's investigation into the EMS helicopter accident, the Queensland Emergency Services Department is improving standards and support for community helicopter providers, and all pilots will be required to train to the Command Instrument Rating standard.

A key priority for 2005-06 is to implement the second stage of a new aviation investigation IT system - the Safety Investigation Information Management System (SIIMS). This will enhance our ability to assess the more than 8000 reports of aviation events we receive every year.

Marine investigations lead to regulatory changes

In 2004-05 the ATSB completed 11 maritime investigations. High profile reports released in 2004-05 included reports on:

• a lifeboat accident aboard the Lowlands Grace in Port Hedland last year, and
• the breakdown of the Maersk Tacoma in Bass Strait following a bearing failure.

Both these investigations have led to safety actions: the Australian Maritime Safety Authority has expanded their port state control investigations to include lifeboats; and ship owners and operators are now required to promptly notify local rescue coordination centres if their ship becomes disabled.

Safety messages have, however, been slow getting through to the commercial fishing industry. Since 1990 we have investigated 23 collisions between fishing boats and much larger cargo vessels, with two recent collisions resulting in the sinking of the fishing boat and the death of its skipper. We have now initiated measures to raise awareness in the industry (see Transport Safety page 42 ).

Rail safety investigations make valuable recommendations

We released three rail safety reports in 2004-05. These covered the Chiltern train derailment in Victoria and subsequent collision between a passenger and freight train, and derailments at Ararat in Victoria and Bates in SA. These reports have led to a number of new safety measures being introduced:

• The Victorian Department of Infrastructure has expanded its audit programme to include wheel bearing maintenance and communications between train control centres.
• Rail freight operator Pacific National has implemented new distance-and-time based maintenance schedules, and mandated inspections of rolling stock entering service after extended periods, including wheel bearing lubrication tests.
• The Australian Rail Track Corporation is reviewing procedures associated with tamping and the monitoring and inspection of correct track prestressing.

Work continued on the joint Queensland Transport investigation into the Cairns tilt train accident which occurred north of Bundaberg in November 2004. A preliminary report on this accident was released by the Queensland Minister for Transport in February 2005, and the final report in October 2005.

Drawing on an enhanced IT capacity for aviation investigations, a national database of rail accidents and incidents is being developed in cooperation with rail regulators in the states and territories. The database will serve as a valuable resource to industry, regulators, investigators and researchers.

Best turnaround times yet for aviation and marine

In 2004-05 our median report completion time for aviation investigations fell to 247 days, down from 330 last year. This result reflects the injection of increased resources announced in the 2004-05 Budget.

The median report completion time for marine investigations was 372 days, slightly above the targeted 365 days but a substantial improvement on the previous year's result of 484 days.

For the first two rail reports under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003, a completion time of 519 days was well above our target of 365 days, but this is expected to improve as investigators in our relatively new rail unit become more experienced.

High level of response readiness maintained

In 2004-05 we continued to maintain a high response capability against the possibility of a major transport safety accident in Australia.

Sadly, our response capabilities were put to the test following Australia's worst commercial air crash in 35 years - the Lockhart River crash - in which 15 people died. We were able to mobilise rapidly and operate effectively in remote and difficult terrain (see case study page 36 ).

A major desktop aviation accident exercise will be held next year in line with the Australian Government's new aviation disaster response plan (CAVDISPLAN).

In 2004-05 we released 112 reports, up from 82 last year. This included 98 aviation reports, up 30 per cent from last year due to additional resourcing for this function. The aviation result was partially offset by a drop in the number of maritime reports released (11). Three rail reports were also released.

Next year we plan to complete around 100 aviation, 10 marine and 10 rail investigations, including reports on fatal accidents at Benalla and Lockhart River and on the tilt train accident.

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Within the department, the ATSB publishes safety reports and papers based on its research activities and accident investigations for the information of governments, industry and the wider community. The department also promotes ways to make travel safer and makes sure vehicles entering Australia meet safety standards.

Road deaths in 2004 the lowest since 1949

Australia recorded 1589 road deaths during 2004 - the lowest level in more than 50 years. This reflects a continuing downward trend in road deaths since the introduction of the National Road Safety Strategy on 1 January 2001.

The result translates to 7.8 deaths per 100 000 population, a 17.4 per cent reduction from the 2000 rate. However, with a target of no more than 5.6 deaths per 100 000 people by 2010 (see figure 3A), the government is continuing to introduce new initiatives, such as a driver education scheme for P-platers (page 43).

Aviation safety improving

Over the 10 years from 1 July 1995, accidents and serious incidents have dropped from 240 to 153, and fatal accidents have more than halved from 24 to 11 (see figure 3B). However there in never room for complacency as demonstrated by the 15 fatalities in one accident at Lockhart River in 2004-05.

Commercial fishing in the safety spotlight

In 2004-05, the ATSB initiated a proactive safety awareness programme aimed at the Australian commercial fishing industry. The programme is based around a series of face to face meetings with the fishing industry peak bodies, state marine regulators and fishers to outline the recurring factors we find in our investigations.

A new safety bulletin was prepared for the meetings along with a selection of other safety materials including a DVD produced in conjunction with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and marine regulatory authorities in Queensland and NSW.

Nationally consistent rail safety regulations on the way

Investigations into a number of rail accidents - most notably the NSW Waterfall train crash which killed seven people in January 2003 - have highlighted the need for a more proactive approach to assessing and monitoring the health of key rail workers.

In 2004-05 the department continued to work with all states, the NT and the rail industry on developing a new national standard, through a process facilitated by the National Transport Commission. The outcome of this process-model legislation to deliver a nationally consistent approach-is to be considered by the Australian Transport (Ministers) Council in November 2005.

The ATSB supports other agencies, governments and industry to evaluate and improve transport safety interventions and outcomes by:

• releasing statistical and research publications (see Quantity page 47 )
• coordinating national road safety action plans under the National Road Safety Strategy 2001-2010, and
• piloting safety education programmes (see driver education).

National Road Safety Action plan 2005 and 2006 launched

The third action plan under the National Road Safety Strategy 2001-10 was developed jointly with state and territory governments with input from a broad range of organisations through the National Road Safety Strategy Panel.

It highlights three key priority areas for policy makers and planners to focus on in 2005 and 2006 - safer roads and roadsides (infrastructure), safer speeds and safer vehicles.

The new plan will contribute significantly to the goal of the National Road Safety Strategy - saving 3600 lives by reducing yearly road fatalities by 40 per cent per 100 000 people over the decade to 2010.

National driver education trial being established

We responded to the Australian Government's policy initiative to facilitate the introduction of a national compulsory driver education scheme. The scheme is expected to apply to all new provisional licence holders (Pplaters).

In 2004-05 we began the task of putting together the basic course curriculum, in partnership with Australian and international experts. The aim was to develop an innovative programme built on international best practice and 'drawing on insight' learning processes that have shown promise in overseas trials. This approach focuses on raising awareness of driver risk factors and providing inexperienced drivers with an appreciation of their own limitations.

Following the publication of our initial work in December 2004, former Transport Minister Anderson convened a national forum on young driver safety (at Parliament House), where he announced the next stage of the project-a 12-month trial of the course in partnership with the NSW and Victorian Governments, as well as the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the Insurance Australia Group and the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria.

Starting in 2006, about 7000 P-platers in each state will go through the course. A control group in each state will be made up of a similar number of P-platers. All trial participants will be monitored for at least a year after completion of the trial, and independent experts will be commissioned to undertake a comprehensive evaluation.

The total cost of the trial, including evaluation, is expected to be about
$10 million. The Australian Government has contributed $3 million.

New vehicle safety standards taking shape

Before any road vehicle can be supplied to the market in Australia, it must comply with the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (MVS Act). The Act, which applies to imported as well as locally manufactured vehicles, requires all vehicles to meet national safety and environment standards. These standards are the Australian Design Rules (ADRs).

The department is progressively reviewing the ADRs to harmonise them, where possible, with international standards developed under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) framework.

Harmonising will remove trade barriers and allow vehicles manufactured for world markets to be supplied to Australia without the need for extensive modifications. It will lead to lower costs and to better access to safer, more environmentally friendly vehicles.

As part of this process, in 2004-05 we:

• gazetted changes to ADR 18/03 relating to speedometers, to harmonise with the UNECE regulation
• completed consultation on and recommended the repeal of ADR 17/00 on fuel systems - this uniquely Australian standard was repealed on 1 August 2005 meaning that importers no longer needed to replace fuel tanks
• completed consultation on regulation impact statements to harmonise door, seat, seatbelt, safety glazing and rear mirror standards with the corresponding UNECE regulations (ADRs 2, 3, 4, 8/01 and 14)
• released regulation impact statements for public comment on heavy vehicle standards so that UNECE compliant vehicles require only minor modification¹ (ADRs 35/01, 38/02 and 62/01)
• released a regulation impact statement on audible seatbelt reminder systems for cars
• drafted two statements relating to heavy vehicles to harmonise with UNECE regulations-one for a new ADR for underrun barriers the other relating to speed limiting (ADR 65/00), and
• drafted a statement relating to occupant protection in buses (ADR 68/00).

In 2005-06, we will implement the 1958 UNECE harmonisation agreement governing approvals and certification of automotive products, to enhance export opportunities for Australian manufacturers. The government will also consider the 1998 agreement, which offers even greater scope for global harmonisation as its membership includes the USA and Canada, neither of whom are signatories to the 1958 agreement.

Vehicle and workshop processes getting quicker

Manufacturers and importers must demonstrate that their vehicle types meet ADRs before they can be supplied to the Australian market.

Special compliance arrangements apply for manufacturers and importers who supply limited numbers of new vehicles to the mainstream market and used vehicles to the specialist and enthusiast market. We assess whether a vehicle is a specialist or enthusiast model under the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS).

Only vehicles approved under SEVS can be supplied to the market under the low volume scheme (new vehicles) or Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme (RAWS) (used imported vehicles).

As a result of additional funding announced in the 2004-05 Budget, the department achieved substantial improvements in timeliness for vehicle and workshop approval processes. We:

• achieved 93 per cent of approvals to import vehicle types within our target of 17 working days
• completed approximately 80 per cent of RAWS inspections within the target of six weeks, down from an 18 week turnaround time in February 2004
• raised around 95 per cent of post-inspection discussion items electronically within the target of one week of inspecting officers returning to the office, and
• examined approximately 80 per cent of evidence submitted for assessment within 20 working days.

We are working to improve timeliness further in 2005-06-to complete at least 85 per cent of all vehicle and workshop processes within target timeframes.

Demand increases for vehicle and workshop approvals

In 2004-05 the department approved 64 RAWS workshops and conducted more than 160 inspections to address the backlog of approvals associated with the establishment of the scheme². In 2005-06 we expect to conduct around 155 inspections, including inspections for new approvals, inspections for approval to handle additional vehicle models and audit activities.

Forty-one research publications released

In 2004-05 the number of statistical and research publications released was 41 in all, comprising 9 aviation and 32 road.

The ATSB released and published on its website seven road safety research reports including reports on road texture and crash risk and community attitudes, as well as 25 road safety and rail statistics publications, including 13 road fatality statistical reports. The other 12 special-issue statistical reports included:

• Deaths and serious injuries among female motorcyclists, in which trends in crash rates among female as well as male motorcyclists are analysed
• Fatal road crashes involving articulated trucks in which it is shown that crash rates in this sector during the last decade have plateaued despite the increase in the sector size, and
• Cycle safety: a national perspective which presents data on trauma due to road crashes involving cyclists.

In 2005-06 the ATSB will continue to research transport safety issues, including motor vehicle side impact protection, pedestrian and vehicle compatibility, the role of human error in road crashes and truck safety.

The actual price of this output in 2004-05 was $18.4 million.

Costs to industry reduced

Under the MVS Act, the costs of regulatory and compliance services provided are recovered through industry fees.

In 2004-05 the government annouced a reduction in the fees paid by the mainstream vehicle industry to address a potential for ongoing over-recovery of revenue against the cost of related regulatory activity. These arrangements are subject to a follow-up review in two years.

Australia's response to terrorism relies on strong cooperation between governments, government departments and agencies and industry. The Australian Government leads work to improve the security of Australia's transport system and reduce the likelihood of transport being a target of, or vehicle for, terrorism.

In 2004-05 a new capability to investigate major security incidents was established within the department. In addition, the department

• continued to advise the government on how best to manage security risks in light of world events and international practice
• implemented new legislation to enhance Australia's maritime and aviation security regime, and
• worked with industry to learn from and enhance its risk readiness, including through the $48 million Securing our Regional Skies package (pages 58-60)

A new intergovernmental agreement on surface transport security was endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), and work continued with targeted countries in our region to improve their transport security capabilities.

New capability for security investigation established

No major transport security incidents were reported in Australia in 2004-05. However, in light of ongoing international events, the government established a new capability for security investigation within our department - the Office of the Inspector of Transport Security.

The new office, launched in November 2004, is headed by former federal police commissioner Mr Mick Palmer AO. As Inspector of Transport Security, Mr Palmer will investigate:

• aviation and maritime security incidents as directed by the minister, and
• major land transport security incidents as directed by the minister and subject to agreement from the relevant state or territory government.

Proactive as well as reactive investigations are planned. These might include reviews of industry security systems, practices and procedures. All investigations will be done independently from the Office of Transport Security (OTS).

Draft legislation is being finalised to enable Mr Palmer to conduct investigations into major incidents on the same 'no blame' basis consistent with the approach applied in relation to transport safety investigations.

Pending the passage of the legislation, Mr Palmer has supported the Wheeler review of aviation security and policing, which reported to government in September 2005 (see Stop press).

Threat environment ever changing

While there was no change to Australia's national alert level - it remained on medium - international events like the Madrid, Jakarta and London terrorist attacks provided new information and are important reminders of the need to continually review security measures.

In 2004-05, acting on advice from the department and in line with international practice, the Australian Government:

• increased the number of regulated airports from 40 to 185 and regulated airlines from 60 to 170
• applied more stringent and visible measures at Australian airports and ports, including enhanced access controls to airport secure areas
• strengthened the criteria for background checks on workers holding aviation security identification cards
• following consultation with industry, introduced security identification cards for people working in maritime security zones
• strengthened relationships with key agencies in Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA to facilitate better enforcement of the International Ship and Port Security Code, and
• enacted legislation to bring Australia's 56 offshore oil and gas platforms - which deliver around $18 billion a year in export and trade revenue - into the maritime security regime.

Briefings were arranged for industry and other governments to enable them to make more informed decisions about their security in response to various world events including the London terrorist attacks of 7 and 21 July 2005.

As mentioned in Chapter 2, the government announced a major review of security and policing at Australian airports in June 2005. The department established a review secretariat and supported the inquiry until its completion in September. The government has now announced a number of new security measures (see Stop press).

Aviation and maritime security laws tightened

Aviation and maritime security are regulated through the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004, and Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003. These Acts require bodies based in air and sea ports and related facilities to:

• conduct regular security risk assessments
• develop security plans based on that assessment
• implement appropriate security measures including security zones and signage, and
• ensure all staff working in security zones hold an appropriate security identification card.

Similar requirements apply to airlines operating in Australia - who must also contact our security operations centre for curfew dispensations at four airports and permits required under the Air Navigation Act 1920 (page 100) - and to Australian flagged shipping.

Special arrangements apply to operators of general aviation aircraft - while there is no requirement to develop a full security plan, operators must implement
anti-theft devices when their aircraft are unattended.

Special arrangements also apply to foreign flagged vessels operating in Australian waters. These vessels are required to:

• maintain appropriate international ship security certificates
• notify us of their movements, and to
• contact our operations centre for approval to engage in coastal trade under the Navigation Act 1912 (page 74).

All bodies are required to notify us as soon as practical of any unlawful interference to their operations. We maintain a 24-hour operations centre to facilitate prompt action on notifications and other processes.

Regulated bodies 100 per cent compliant

As a result of changes to the aviation and maritime transport security legislation in 2003-04, more than 650 bodies were required to put in place formal security programmes for the first time in 2004-05.

Major airlines and airports continued to implement longstanding security arrangements consistent with security plans. Another 255 airports and airlines submitted plans to us for the first time in 2004-05 and over 600 cargo agents introduced new measures for domestic air cargo. The vast majority were of a high standard and all have now been approved. Likewise, audit activity confirms that general aviation operators are generally complying with the requirement to secure unattended aircraft against theft.

In the maritime industry, all bodies had submitted security plans to the department as required by 30 June 2004. New entrants or amendments to existing plans saw another 82 plans submitted to us in 2004-05. The vast majority of these were of a high standard and have been approved. Five were withdrawn or did not proceed and twelve are still under assessment.

In anticipation of the need to establish relationships with the growing number of bodies we regulate, the department appointed and trained more transport security inspectors in 2004-05. As at 30 June 2005, more than 60 transport security inspectors are based in offices across Australia. These inspectors:

• audited 69 per cent of airlines and 18 per cent of airports, and
• audited 17 per cent of maritime security plans, with 100 per cent of Australian flagged vessels subject to audit over the last two years, and
• made many more security related visits including partial inspections and attendance at security meetings and exercises.

All regulated bodies were assessed as being fully compliant with relevant security requirements at 30 June 2005.

Foreign flagged vessels subject of close scrutiny

Since 1 July 2004, every foreign flagged ship seeking entry to Australia has been subject to risk assessment to enable inspections to be prioritised. Many of these ships are also subject to a hands-on security inspection. In 2004-05 the department:

• risk assessed and monitored the activities of every foreign-flagged ship entering Australian waters
• issued six foreign flagged vessels with control directions for a failure to hold valid security certificates - these ships will not be permitted to re-enter Australia until they have a valid certificate
• authorised officers of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to conduct first-line inspections in conjunction with their port state control function, and
• undertook some 153 detailed ship inspections - an average of three ships a week.

Operations centre now operating 24/7

On 1 July 2004 the OTS Operations Centre, established in 2003-04, moved to around the clock operations - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition to supporting all of the above enforcement and compliance activity, it:

• received more than 12 328 calls about possible aviation and maritime security incidents
• coordinated the department's response to a range of events including the Boxing Day tsunami (see Chapter 2 page 24 ), and
• authorised the transportation by air of persons in custody, mainly arising from immigration and illegal fishing offences.

• international^a

• domestic

• international

• domestic

Work continues to enhance industry risk readiness

In 2004-05 the department continued to work with the aviation and maritime industries to reduce the risk of acts of terrorism. We:

• developed a best practice model to provide industry with briefings on nationally classified assessments of the terrorist threat, in conjunction with ASIO
• developed and distributed declassified risk context statements to industry to inform transport security planning
• developed guidance material on better practice and ran workshops around Australia to help operators conduct security risk assessments and prepare security programmes
• delivered funding to enable hardened cockpit doors to be installed in aircraft used on regional routes (page 59)
• put in place arrangements to deliver metal detector kits and training to regional airports over 2005-06 (page 58), and
• started a trial of closed-circuit television as an aid to security at four regional airports (page 60).

Surface transport

While surface transport security is the responsibility of the state or territory in which the service is located, the Australian Government works with other governments to develop a consistent and coordinated approach.

In 2004-05 the department continued to provide secretariat support to the Transport Security Working Group as the main forum for progressing transport security issues. The group, set up in 2003, comprises senior transport officials from each state and territory and reports through the chief executive officers of transport departments to all transport ministers (the Australian Transport Council). In 2004-05 the group:

• developed and coordinated the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on surface transport security
• implemented key recommendations agreed by the Australian Transport Council and Overseas Mission on Transport Security following the Madrid terrorist attacks, and
• supported state and territory governments to progress priorities identified in the National Transport Security Strategy we developed in 2003-04 and to participate in a national counter-terrorism exercise program.

The department also:

• hosted a national forum on mass passenger surface transport security in June 2005 - this was attended by over 140 Australian and New Zealand delegates including owners and operators, government transport officials and police.
• participated in emergency meetings in the days immediately following the London terrorist attacks of 7 and 21 July 2005 - to review Australia's surface transport security arrangements, and
• accompanied Australian police to the UK following the attacks, to report back on protective security and planning implications especially for mass urban transit.

Overseas presence and projects expanded

In 2004-05 the department continued to work with targeted countries in the Asia-Pacific region to improve both aviation and maritime security. We:

• established transport security liaison officers in South East Asia, working out of the Australian missions in Jakarta and Manila (see case study)
• worked with the Singaporean government through APEC to provide maritime security training to countries in the region,
• participated in audits of aviation and maritime security in Fiji and Nauru under the Australian Government's Pacific Governance Support Programme, and
• placed security advisors in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to assist local authorities to improve compliance with international aviation and maritime security standards, under the Enhanced Cooperation Programme with PNG.

In 2005-06 we expect to expand our overseas presence, with three officers based in Jakarta, two in Manila and two Pacific liaison officers.

Securing our Regional Skies package was announced in August 2004 to improve the response capacity, capability building and deterence for Australia's regional airports and airlines.

As part of the Securing our Regional Skies package, the regional passenger screening programme is meeting the cost of hand wand metal detecting kits and staff training at 140 regional airports that handle regular public transport services.

This will enable airport operators to scan passengers and hand luggage at short notice - for example, if the government announces a change in the alert level.

While airports are only required to scan passengers and hand luggage when specified by the government, we encourage routine use of these procedures to allow staff to practice their skills and assure the local community of their airport's commitment to aviation security.

In 2004-05 we completed an open tender process and awarded contracts to support equipment as well as training for up to 10 people at 140 airports across Australia.

Training will start in early September 2005, initially in regional NSW with a roll out across Australia to follow. All training is expected to be completed towards the end of 2006.

As at 30 June 2005, hardened cockpit doors had been installed in 74 aircraft serving regional Australia.

The installation of hardened cockpit doors in another eight aircraft was delayed because of global demand for these types of doors and the technical limitations for some aircraft types. Operators of these aircraft have put in place additional security measures, pending installation of the doors in 2005-06.