Australia to introduce compulsory body scanners

[happytraveller]

Very sad to see that Australia is going the same way as the USA, and is proposing to make body scanners at airports compulsory from July. I am against body scanners, especially for frequent travellers given that there are already health concerns over body scanners in the EU. It is alarming that Australia is planning to introduce the same sort of machines that are used in the USA, and that if the proposal is passed, that the scanners will be compulsory.

More information here,

http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/accept-...0#ixzz1lYd7ynnQ

I have already emailed the Australian Tourism Commission, as if the law does come into force, then I will no longer visit Australia. I avoid the USA already, so Australia may also join the list. I guess that I will not be alone.

Another step in the wrong direction which will do little to stop terrorism, but will just inconvenience and possibly harm normal travellers.

smooth landings.

[Lapun]

QUOTE (happytraveller @ Feb 7 2012,8:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Very sad to see that Australia is going the same way as the USA, and is proposing to make body scanners at airports compulsory from July. I am against body scanners, especially for frequent travellers given that there are already health concerns over body scanners in the EU. It is alarming that Australia is planning to introduce the same sort of machines that are used in the USA, and that if the proposal is passed, that the scanners will be compulsory.

More information here,

http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/accept-...0#ixzz1lYd7ynnQ

I have already emailed the Australian Tourism Commission, as if the law does come into force, then I will no longer visit Australia. I avoid the USA already, so Australia may also join the list. I guess that I will not be alone.

Another step in the wrong direction which will do little to stop terrorism, but will just inconvenience and possibly harm normal travellers.

smooth landings.

Flying Brisbane to Aukland and return about four years ago by RPT was such a turn off in terms of treatment of passengers (Departing Brisbane they made the 80 yo lady with whom I was travelling remove the small foldup umbrella from her hand grip , then separated her for a body search for drugs - a 20 minute procedure etc etc and it went down hill from there), that I determined travel by airlines was over for me - the introduction of body scans is now too much of an affront to even contemplate travelling by air - at least in a flightsim you don't have to go through a terminal..

[Splitpin]

Seems the land of Oz is fast becoming little america....maybe just add another star to "Old Glory" and be done with it.

[Bazza]

And as one who has travelled about somewhat, the worst experiences I have had have been in Brisbane and Sydney, and last year in Melbourne wasn't too flash either.

Apart from general rudeness and lack of tact, my wife and I seem to constantly attract the old "pull to one side" for the bomb search. My theory is that if your job was
to find a terrorist with a bomb, who may set it off when he realizes he's rumbled, would you pick on a young dark bloke with a tea-towel on his head, or that older
couple over there....?

The "rent-a-cop" female staff seem to be the worst.

Usually coming back into Auckland is remarkable for the friendly contrast.

[happytraveller]

and if you would like to read about the possible cancer problems caused by these machines......

http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/airport...4-1226199514069

Bad move by Australia.

smooth landings.

[Ian Warren]

Over the last couple of years , had a serious accident and typical baggage that come with ... first mention of X-RAY , was told not an option due to more harm than good .. got to a stage were these people in little white suits were shooting me every couple off weeks ... hang on what did they say earlier .

By the way they found no sharp objects to hurt the doctors or any sign off plastic other than the credit card where they simply said thank-you catch-ching , i was not hiding tourists < in my shoes , i was a regular flyer .

[deeknow]

Some more interesting background into the body-scanner malarky, in particular the defense contractor L3 who "won" the contract...
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/20...-air-terminals/

QUOTE

So who is the real beneficiary of the government’s decision to impose body-scanning technology on international passengers? Step forward L-3 Communications, a key member of the US defence establishment and one with links to some of the worst scandals of the past decade.[/quote]

[Rotordude]

Power to the ppl, thats where if one could is get everyone on the flights to carry a small concealed item on them, I think the "officials" would soon get sick of searching thousands of passengers every day.

[Ian Warren]

I want to be like Arnie in 'total recall' ... my head will go all fuzzy/shake , blows up and out pops my machine gun

[happytraveller]

Tourism in Australia will suffer because of this stupid 'security' measure. I have already decided not to go to Australia again, due to the scanners. I will not be alone either I guess.

no worries though!!

smooth landings.

[Charl]

Australia is a country at war - do not be fooled into thinking they are not deadly serious.
When next in Sydney, take some time at the Justice & Police Museum.
They have an exhibition called
Persons of interest: the ASIO files
which explores the recently declassified dossiers of people whose every move was once closely watched by Australia's foremost intelligence agency.
More than half a million Australians feature.

Since 9/11, Australia has introduced increasingly draconian security laws that mean you could simply disappear if people in certain quarters don't like you.