QANTAS has every right to be concerned about deported illegal immigrants and criminals being plonked on flights with no proper notice from government agencies.
It is astounding that in 18 months to last September, 1862 were unescorted, the unsuspecting airline carrying them when aviation security is supposedly watertight.
Illegal immigrants are returning against their will, many will feel desperate and some may be so upset that they become irrational.
That is a security risk, particularly when the Federal Government will put armed air marshals on flights. It has potential for disaster.
Passengers should not be exposed to such a risk. The Government blandly assuring Qantas it will supply information on deportees carried in future is not good enough or fair to airline crew, who should not be responsible for minding them.
Deportees should be accompanied if there is the slightest risk to others.
As the US demands detailed passenger lists and tries to stop queuing for the toilet on planes, our Government’s record makes its stance on aviation security look a joke.
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January 25, 2004 at 4:13 am