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Aviation News Item: 09709
15th Jun 2010
Australian Plane Bomb Hoaxes No Laughing Matter
Source: aero-news.net
 Government Imposes 10 Year Penalties For Bomb Threats
The Australian government has passed a new law imposing a maximum 10 year prison term for claiming there is a bomb aboard an airplane. The previous penalty was two years.
"The measures I'm putting forward mean aviation-related crimes, including air rage against flight crew, threats against airports and endangering an aircraft, will carry more severe penalties," said Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor.
The international news service AFP reports that a person calling an airline and claiming there is a bomb on board an airplane faces a 10 year sentence, as does anyone who assaults the member of an aircrew. Damaging an airplane or a runway would carry a 14 year term, and attacking a pilot or endangering an airplane in any way will earn a 20 year prison sentence. Hijacking or destroying a plane carries a life sentence.
"Australian aviation security agencies face tough challenges and must be supported with up-to-date laws and penalties that reflect the seriousness of these crimes," O'Connor said.
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