A year-long trial of x-ray body scanners is to take place across Australia's airports. This follows an amendment to the Customs Act 1901 in a bid to curb drug trafficking.
The government assured the public that travellers would not be scanned at random. Only those suspected of carrying drugs internally would be scanned after giving their consent to do so. They said that privacy and dignity would be respected, with images being treated accordingly.
“Body scanning technology will not be used on all travellers or used randomly – it will only be used where there is a reasonable suspicion that a person is carrying drugs internally,” an official said.
Traffickers who refuse a scan will have to suffer an old-fashioned physical examination. The option of an internal body scan is thought to clear legitimate travellers more quickly and ensure a minimum of delay at airports.
Margie T Logarta
