The Morrison Government will today commence consultation on important reform to make Australia’s airports, wharves, runways and dockyards more secure.
The reform – to be co-designed with industry – will see the Department of Home Affairs become the sole issuing authority for aviation and maritime security identification cards (ASICs and MSICs) – which are an important identification requirement granting unescorted access to secure areas of our airports and seaports.
This single issuing body model will replace the current model – under which ASICs and MSICs can be issued by a range of businesses and industry stakeholders – and builds on critical legislation the Morrison Government delivered in June 2021, preventing people with serious criminal backgrounds or with links to serious and organised crime from accessing those sensitive areas.
Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the consultation period would guarantee industry insights were incorporated into the new model, ensuring improvements to how ASICs and MSICs are issued.
“We know that Australia’s aviation and maritime transport infrastructure is targeted by a range of organised criminals, terrorists, and malicious foreign actors,” Minister Andrews said.
“ASICs and MSICs give the bearer unescorted access to some of our most sensitive trade and cargo links. Working with industry to co-design improvements to this process by moving to a single, Government-issuing authority will assure the integrity of these cards and further harden the aviation and maritime sectors to exploitation and unlawful interference.
“I encourage industry to have their say during the consultation process. Your continued support will ensure any vulnerabilities in the current schemes are addressed – better protecting all Australians.”
The Department of Home Affairs will engage with all issuing bodies directly as part of the consultation process, ensuring a robust, co-designed reform. More information is available at the Department of Home Affairs website.
