- Baggage handlers among those to be subjected to random explosive testing
- New measures come as Turnbull aims to dramatically tighten airport security
- In August authorities foiled an alleged plot to blow up jet flying out of Sydney
- All 400 passengers on board the Etihad Airways flight would have been killed
Airport workers will be subjected to spot explosive testing as part of a new security crackdown in the country’s airports.
It will include the random testing of baggage handlers, caterers, engineers and maintenance staff in airports.
Transport Minister Darren Chester told News Corp that the new checks strengthened existing controls that ensured airport staff were authorised and appropriately trained before entering secure areas.
Baggage handlers are among staff to be subjected to random explosive testing (stock image)
Malcolm Turnbull’s government is expected to announce the new measures on Sunday just months after an alleged plot to smuggle an explosive onto a flight was foiled.
The plot, which authorities alleged to be the most serious terror plot ever hatched in Australia, involved blowing up a Etihad plane jetting out of Sydney Airport just 20 minutes into the flight.
Authorities claim they foiled a plot to destroy the A380 airliner as it travelled over NSW using a Barbie doll and a meat mincer filled with explosives, the Australian reports.
Police officers (pictured) patrol Sydney Airport after authorities ‘foiled terrorist plot’
All 400 passengers aboard the flight would have been killed, and potentially further chaos on the ground as the debris from the exploded aircraft would scatter from 33,000 feet.
Police claim the plot involved blowing up the A380 airliner using a Barbie doll and a meat mincer filled with explosives, the Australian reports.
All 400 passengers aboard the flight would have been killed, and potentially further chaos on the ground as the debris from the exploded aircraft would scatter from 33,000 feet.
Malcolm Turnbull’s (pictured) government expected to announce new measures on Sunday