Security guard sacked, three suspended, over airport checks on foreign minister

A security guard has lost his job and at least three other airport workers were suspended as a result of a botched security screening of Australia’s foreign minister Julie Bishop. The senior officer was dismissed in the wake of the row over the checks carried out as the minister went through Melbourne Airport in September. The official who carried out the pat down was suspended but later reinstated after being retrained. But the incident has raised questions about how far the Australian government, which claims it made no formal complaint about Ms Bishop’s treatment, was involved in pressing for an investigation.

The foreign minister passes through hundreds of airport security checkpoints each year and is more than happy to be treated on the same basis as other travellers

Spokesman for Julie Bishop

The security workers were disciplined for breaching airport protocol in ordering the checks on Ms Bishop. She was not selected at random but chosen after a worker recognised her; the minister was said to have been uncomfortable at his presence during the checks. However, her office insisted: “Neither the minister nor anyone from her office has made any official complaint regarding her transit through Melbourne Airport at any time.” But deputy prime minister Warren Truss confirmed on Friday his office had contacted Melbourne Airport to raise concerns after being “informally notified” about the incident. And workers at the airport say it was common knowledge the government had made a complaint.

It was made very clear to people throughout the airport that complaints had come down from Canberra, including the Transport Department and a minister’s office

One airport worker

Politics julie bishop