Malcolm Turnbull says government considering laptop ban on international flights
MALCOLM Turnbull has confirmed the federal
government is considering a ban on laptops on international flights coming into
Australia.
The UK and US have already banned passengers from taking any
electronic devices bigger than mobile phones in cabins on flights amid concerns
terrorists may be able to smuggle bombs inside them.
The ban was on flights from certain Middle East and African countries
only but US security agencies are reportedly planning to widen the ban to
include flights from Europe.
The Prime Minister confirmed today Australia had been in
discussions with other nations about the laptop ban.
“The government is aware of the changes that have been made and
... we are looking at it very closely,” Mr. Turnbull
told reporters in Adelaide today.
He said the government was taking into account information and
advice from partners internationally.
“We are working very closely with our partners, and in due
course, any announcements will be made formally through the Transport Minister,” he said.
Citing security sources, the Independent reported the British
Government’s decision to ban laptop computers and tablets on board flights from
the Middle East follows information that came from specific intelligence
reports, however Downing Street officials have refused to discuss any specific
terrorist plot.
According to the ABC, US
security officers felt the same way, with one official saying:
“The US government is concerned about terrorists’ ongoing
interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs over
the past two years.”
Jihadist group Al-Shabaab last year claimed responsibility for a
purported bomb attack on a passenger plane in Somalia, smuggling an
explosive-filled laptop on a flight out of Mogadishu. The bomb blew a hole in
the side of the passenger cabin, but did not bring down the plane.
The Independent reported
the new ban came amid warnings ISIS could move into “insurgency mode” with the
loss of key strongholds across Iraq and Syria, which could potentially lead it
to incite terror attacks abroad rather than on home soil.
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