Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop was reportedly singled out for a security screening.
Phillip Hudson
The Australian
Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss’s office has admitted the government played a role in triggering an investigation into a botched airport screening of Julie Bishop which resulted in a security guard losing his job and two workers being suspended.
The Foreign Minister was improperly singled out to be scanned on her way through Melbourne Airport to board a flight to New York on September 22.
Melbourne Airport has confirmed that two female screeners were suspended and a male worker lost his job due to evidence Ms Bishop had not been selected randomly to be searched.
“A male ISS worker’s employment was terminated as a result of not adhering to standard security screening as required at an Australian international airport,” the airport said.
But the investigation occurred only after Mr Truss’s office referred the matter on after being “informally notified” of the incident.
“The DPM’s office raised the matter with the department and Melbourne Airport,’’ a spokesman said last night. “Melbourne Airport undertook an investigation and acted accordingly.”
Ms Bishop, who is one of the nation’s most frequent flyers, did not make a formal complaint.
Her spokeswoman last night said: “The Foreign Minister passes through hundreds of airport security checkpoints each year and is more than happy to be treated on the same basis as other travellers.
“Neither the minister nor anyone from her office has made any official complaint regarding her transit through Melbourne Airport at any time”.
It is believed the investigation by Melbourne Airport found the security screeners did not follow normal procedure and Ms Bishop was deliberately singled out, contrary to operating protocols.
Phillip Hudson
Bureau Chief
Canberra
Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss’s office has admitted the government played a role in triggering an investigation into a botched airport screening of Julie Bishop which resulted in a security guard losing his job and two workers being suspended.
The Foreign Minister was improperly singled out to be scanned on her way through Melbourne Airport to board a flight to New York on September 22.
Melbourne Airport has confirmed that two female screeners were suspended and a male worker lost his job due to evidence Ms Bishop had not been selected randomly to be searched.
“A male ISS worker’s employment was terminated as a result of not adhering to standard security screening as required at an Australian international airport,” the airport said.
But the investigation occurred only after Mr Truss’s office referred the matter on after being “informally notified” of the incident.
“The DPM’s office raised the matter with the department and Melbourne Airport,’’ a spokesman said last night. “Melbourne Airport undertook an investigation and acted accordingly.”
Ms Bishop, who is one of the nation’s most frequent flyers, did not make a formal complaint.
Her spokeswoman last night said: “The Foreign Minister passes through hundreds of airport security checkpoints each year and is more than happy to be treated on the same basis as other travellers.
“Neither the minister nor anyone from her office has made any official complaint regarding her transit through Melbourne Airport at any time”.
It is believed the investigation by Melbourne Airport found the security screeners did not follow normal procedure and Ms Bishop was deliberately singled out, contrary to operating protocols.
No comments:
Post a Comment