Australian Airports To Get Compulsory Body Scans



In a $28 million security upgrade, new “no scan, no fly” laws are expected to be proposed this week for Aussie international airports — removing the option to request a pat down instead. After trials last year, full body scanners (from the same company used in US checkpoints) will roll out in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast and Cairns. Here’s what they look like.

Images via Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese

In Sydney and Melbourne, the government trialled competing scanner technology specifically designed not to identify gender or reveal body details. Gizmodo covered these: ThruVision (passive terahertz radiation detection) and L3 Communications (millimetre wave radio waves). Ultimately, the latter got the nod, and has been approved by Australia’s Privacy Commissioner. Images will be deleted after each traveller is cleared.

Here’s the full press release, courtesy of Crikey and the HeraldSun: