NTC-25074 - Exemption from displaying an Aviation Security Identification Card in a Secure Area

Overview

The NTC-25074 Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 were enacted to ensure stringent security measures within Australia's aviation industry, addressing the critical need to safeguard against potential threats to civil aviation. This legislation, introduced by the Parliament of Australia, aims to maintain the highest security standards at airports and on aircraft, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public from potential risks. The Delegate of the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, Jaram Blethyn, issued a notice granting an exemption under subregulation 3.08(3) of these regulations for emergency services personnel and volunteers participating in the aerodrome emergency exercise 'Iron Galah' organised by the City of Karratha. This exemption allows them to move within the secure area of Karratha Airport without displaying an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC), provided they adhere to specific conditions designed to ensure the security and smooth execution of the exercise.

Scope and Application

This notice, issued by a delegate of the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, provides an exemption from the requirement to display an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) in the secure area of Karratha Airport for certain emergency services personnel and volunteers participating in a specific aerodrome emergency exercise. The exemption applies to emergency services personnel and authorised volunteers who have been invited by the City of Karratha to participate in the full field aerodrome emergency exercise ‘Iron Galah’. The exemption allows these individuals to move under escort in the airside area along designated transit routes between Gate 6 and the special event zones 1, 2, and 3, as long as they meet the specified conditions. These conditions include being an employee of a state or local emergency service organisation participating in the exercise, or being an authorised volunteer registered to participate in the exercise, with movement limited to the designated transit routes, under vehicular escort by an employee of the City of Karratha, and in vehicles approved and designated for use for the event. This exemption is in force from 0930hrs to 1600hrs on 24 June 2023, and it is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the notice. The exemption is a specific application of the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 and does not extend beyond the parameters set out in this notice.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this notice pertain to the exemption from displaying an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) in the secure area of Karratha Airport for emergency services personnel and volunteers involved in the aerodrome emergency exercise ‘Iron Galah’ on 24 June 2023. According to subregulation 3.08(3) of the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005, the exemption is granted for the specified exercise participants when under escort in the airside area, moving along designated transit routes between Gate 6 and the special event zones (subregulation 3.08(3)(b)(ii)). The exemption applies only to those who are confirmed as employees of the state/local emergency service organisations or authorised exercise volunteers, registered and invited to participate in the exercise (subregulation 3.08(3)(a)(i)). The exemption is further conditional on the participants travelling along the designated transit routes, under vehicular escort by an employee of the City of Karratha who holds an ASIC, and in vehicles approved for the event by the City of Karratha or authorised emergency vehicles or vehicles driven by City of Karratha airport employees (subregulation 3.08(3)(a)(ii) and (iii)). Additionally, drivers of emergency service vehicles must have completed airside driver training prior to the commencement of the exercise (subregulation 3.08(3)(b)(iii)). This Act imposes specific obligations on the emergency services personnel and volunteers participating in the ‘Iron Galah’ exercise. Firstly, to qualify for the exemption from displaying an ASIC, participants must be confirmed by a Karratha Airport Aerodrome Reporting Officer as either an employee of the state/local emergency service organisation involved in the exercise or an authorised exercise volunteer registered to participate in the exercise (subregulation 3.08(3)(a)(i)). Secondly, these participants must adhere to the designated transit routes, which are identified in notice NTC-25067, while moving between Gate 6 and the special event zones (subregulation 3.08(3)(a)(ii)). Thirdly, they must be under the escort of a City of Karratha employee who holds an ASIC, and they must travel in vehicles that have been approved and designated for use for the event by the City of Karratha or are authorised emergency vehicles or vehicles driven by City of Karratha airport employees (subregulation 3.08(3)(a)(ii) and (iii)). Finally, drivers of emergency service vehicles must have completed airside driver training prior to the commencement of the exercise (subregulation 3.08(3)(b)(iii)). Failure to comply with the conditions outlined in this notice may result in civil and criminal consequences. Under the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004, unauthorised entry or remaining in a secure area without an ASIC is an offence, with potential criminal penalties including fines of up to $12,600 for individuals and $63,000 for corporations, as well as potential imprisonment. Civil penalties may also apply, including fines up to the statutory maximum of $12,600 for individuals and $63,000 for corporations. Additionally, the Department of Home Affairs may take enforcement action against the City of Karratha for any breaches of the conditions of the exemption, which could result in the revocation of the exemption or other regulatory action. It is essential that all participants adhere strictly to the conditions specified to avoid any legal repercussions.