Peppermint
New member
Before we get roped into this sort of scheme over here.
The Federal Government looks set to implement a multi-million dollar revamp of maritime security with a central command to take control of intercepting suspicious vessels.
Under the Government's $4 million plan, a new security command will take responsibility from the states and territories of a large security zone outside coastal ports.
Authorities will demand that ships passing through the zone, which could extend to 1,000 nautical miles, provide details of their journey and what they are carrying.
They will also be able to independently order the interception of ships.
The Government hopes to have the new maritime system come into force in March next year.
Prime Minister John Howard says the security zone will be a valuable step forward for maritime security.
Mr Howard says it will see most maritime security issues fall under the Federal Government's watch.
"It's just a way of making doubly sure that you know who wants to come to this country and what their business is," he told Southern Cross radio.
Mr Howard says there is no new terrorist threat.
"We haven't received some undisclosed additional warning that's caused us to do this," he said.
The Labor Party says the move is a belated step in the right direction.
Labor's Robert McClelland says the Government's move is purely a reporting mechanism and does not go far enough.
"Today's announcement by the Prime Minister relies too much on faith," he said.
"It will still be the case that ships can come deep inside Australian ports without even a cursory physical examination of the ship's manifest, the crew details or even the safety and security of the cargo and we say that's not adequate."
He wants more boats to patrol Australia's coastline and inspect approaching ships.
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The Federal Government looks set to implement a multi-million dollar revamp of maritime security with a central command to take control of intercepting suspicious vessels.
Under the Government's $4 million plan, a new security command will take responsibility from the states and territories of a large security zone outside coastal ports.
Authorities will demand that ships passing through the zone, which could extend to 1,000 nautical miles, provide details of their journey and what they are carrying.
They will also be able to independently order the interception of ships.
The Government hopes to have the new maritime system come into force in March next year.
Prime Minister John Howard says the security zone will be a valuable step forward for maritime security.
Mr Howard says it will see most maritime security issues fall under the Federal Government's watch.
"It's just a way of making doubly sure that you know who wants to come to this country and what their business is," he told Southern Cross radio.
Mr Howard says there is no new terrorist threat.
"We haven't received some undisclosed additional warning that's caused us to do this," he said.
The Labor Party says the move is a belated step in the right direction.
Labor's Robert McClelland says the Government's move is purely a reporting mechanism and does not go far enough.
"Today's announcement by the Prime Minister relies too much on faith," he said.
"It will still be the case that ships can come deep inside Australian ports without even a cursory physical examination of the ship's manifest, the crew details or even the safety and security of the cargo and we say that's not adequate."
He wants more boats to patrol Australia's coastline and inspect approaching ships.
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