Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter is today flabbergasted that security staff at Cairns Airport are being asked not just to protect passengers from security threats, but from germs as well.

Mr Katter met outside Cairns Airport today with members of United Voice, who represent security workers and cleaners at Cairns Airport.

Mr Chad Maxwell, Regional Organiser for United Voice, said that the union and its members believe that the Airport management’s actions are putting the community at risk.

“ISS Facility Services at Cairns Airport are asking security officers to perform a dual role of cleaning and security at a time when Australia is at one of its highest alert levels due to global terrorist activities.

“Our highly skilled security officers are also being threatened by management that if they do not perform these cleaning duties that they will be given less meaningful security duties, like curbside” Mr Maxwell said.

Mr Katter said that the incident on Wednesday with the re-screening of over 1000 people was extremely troubling, as it was not known at what point the screening fault was discovered and how many people had already boarded an aircraft and left the airport.

“Anyone who thinks that by having trained security guards work as a cleaner that we’ll still have the same level of security is kidding themselves.

“To hell with security, they’re saying, if we’re going to save some money here. That’s what this is about at the end of the day, saving money,” Mr Katter said.