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Wednesday, 3 March 2004
Page: 20661


Senator NETTLE (11:45 AM) —I thank the minister for his answer, and I have two more questions that I want to ask. They relate to part 4, divisions 3 and 4 of the bill in relation to regulating weapons and prohibited items. Obviously, we are supportive of requirements to prevent weapons or indeed any items that might interfere with the function of an aircraft being brought into airports. As the senator mentioned, people who are regular fliers are always careful to make sure they do not have metal on them so that they can get through the airport security quickly. But people who are less regular aircraft travellers may accidentally—and I have often seen it myself at the airport—have nail clippers in their hand luggage rather than in their cabin luggage. As I understand it, if nail clippers are considered to be a prohibited item, this legislation may mean that people who inadvertently have nail clippers in their hand luggage rather than in their main luggage will face an automatic $2,200 fine, because there is a strict liability clause in relation to the penalty. I want to check whether that is the minister's understanding of the way in which the legislation is currently written.