Mr ANDERSON (Minister for Transport and Regional Services) (9:38 AM) —I move:

This bill is consequential to the Aviation Transport Security Bill 2003, the main bill, and repeals provisions of the Air Navigation Act 1920. Most significantly, the repeal of part 3 and part 3A of the Air Navigation Act will allow Australia's aviation security provisions to be modernised, restructured and improved in a manner consistent with international obligations and recent aviation policy reviews.

There is also a consequential amendment to the Australian Protective Service Act 1987. This amendment is necessary to extend the arrest powers of Australian Protective Service officers under that act to the airport environment. This is a power required in the areas of an airport that are high risk in terms of potential unlawful interference with aviation. This power is important so that these law enforcement officers are able to react to an incident effectively and potentially prevent a security incident.

This Aviation Transport Security (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2003 also provides for transitional arrangements to allow for provisions of the Air Navigation Act 1920 to have effect for the purposes of the new act, the Aviation Transport Security Act 2003. For example, these transitional arrangements will allow transport security programs that are currently in place to continue to be subject to part 3A of the Air Navigation Act 1920 when the main bill commences and part 3A is repealed.

This bill also makes minor and technical consequential amendments to various acts: the Air Services Act 1995, the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991, and the Sea Installation Act 1987. I present the explanatory memorandum.

Debate (on motion by Mr Rudd) adjourned.