September 19 2001 Media Statement

The Government has agreed to give extra funding to the Aviation Security Service to boost their ability to screen domestic air travellers, Transport Minister Mark Gosche said today.

As a result of the terrorist attacks in the United States last week domestic passengers are now being screened at seven New Zealand airports – Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown, with Rotorua preparing for screening. Defence personnel have been assisting Aviation Security Service staff with the screening since Saturday morning.

Mr Gosche said the extra $3.21 million would allow the Aviation Security Service to buy more x-ray machines, and would also cover the extra costs of the screening until 15 December.

Between now and then the temporary domestic screening provisions would be reviewed and consideration would be given to permanent arrangements, Mr Gosche said.

The screening was going smoothly and was being well received by the public, he said.

"While it is a slight inconvenience people understand that it is very necessary, and many find it reassuring."

Ends

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>