Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to sum up the debate on the Transport Security Amendment (Testing and Training) Bill 2019. I thank all senators for their contributions to the debate. Australia's transport sector is one of the safest and most secure in the world. However, the sector remains an enduring target for terrorists. We need to ensure that security arrangements remain robust and responsive in the face of an evolving threat environment.

The Transport Security Amendment (Testing and Training) Bill 2019 amends the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 and the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 to improve the effectiveness of screening at Australia's security controlled airports and security regulated ports. Security screeners perform a vital role in securing our airports and seaports. They prevent weapons, such as firearms or explosives, from making it onto an aircraft or cruise ship, ensuring that we can all travel safely and securely.

The bill will establish the necessary framework to ensure that the education, training and testing requirements for screeners remain effective and flexible in an increasingly complex security environment now and into the future. The bill also provides appropriate legislative protection so that it is clear that aviation security inspectors may continue to undertake compliance activities across a range of relevant locations in order to protect against unlawful interference.

The bill has been reviewed by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee and the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee recommended that the bill be passed. In response to the advice of the Scrutiny of Bills Committee I will be, in the committee stage, moving several relatively minor but important amendments to the bill, which I will address at that time. Again, I thank all senators for their contribution to the debate and I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.