AP
DETERIORATING employment conditions in the private security industry are leaving us more vulnerable to terrorist attack, a leading security analyst has warned.
Obviously, we, in Australia are more vulnerable to a so-called "terrorist" attack than we were because we've never had a "terrorist" attack, unless of course you are counting the on-going governmental/council/corporate attacks on your freedom.
The industry, which includes security officers working at the country's major airports, is witnessing a mass exodus of experienced and trained guards because of low pay and long hours. Corporations & Governments value profit over everything else including human health, welfare & safety.
Dr Luke Howie, a terrorism and counter-terrorism researcher at Monash University, said guards represent the first line of defence in the event of an attack and should be treated accordingly.
"You can have the best national security and intelligence agencies around, but it doesn't mean anything if a tired and underpaid security guard isn't doing their job and lets someone with a bomb through,'' he said.
"People who are low-paid and bored are hardly going to do a good job -yet corporations and governments are happy to perpetuate boredom and low wages in almost all employment sectors- and from the perspective of counter-terrorism related security, they play a pivotal role.''
The issue will be highlighted today with the launch of a new report, Security Failure: Preventing Another 9/11, by the security union United Voice.
The report finds that guards are better trained and must meet strict licensing requirements than a decade ago, but low pay is forcing them to find work elsewhere.
Howie said standards in the industry were high following the attacks of September 11 and the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games but had deteriorated with an increase in sub-contracting and resulting lower wages.
His comments have been supported by convicted whistleblower Allan Kessing, who in 2004 wrote a report critical of airport security that included concerns about underpaid and under-trained security guards.
"I'm disappointed but not surprised to hear nothing has changed,'' he said.
"It is no surprise given that our airports are run privately and profit is the priority.''
Jess Walsh, Victorian Secretary of United Voice, described security guards as `the people standing between us and an unthinkable tragedy.
"Both governments and private clients have demanded more and more of our security officers over the past 10 years, and they have assumed the crucial roles once reserved for the police and defence forces,'' she said.
Essentially this story serves a dual purpose. On the one hand it is the usual tabloid habit of trying to profit via the manipulation of a human base emotion, in this case, fear. On the other hand, it is the manipulation of the situation by the relevant unions for a deserved pay rise.
leysni@hwt.com.au
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