Edition 80, July 2010

New port security rules come into effect

 The Australian government imposed new port security rules on 1 July, which will affect drivers and operators who apply for new Maritime Security Identity Cards or need to get their existing cards reissued.

The government originally announced the new rules in January. They added 161 offences to the existing list of 137 offences that block people from holding Maritime Security Identity Cards, or MSICs.

The new offences on the list include riot, kidnapping and arson, which automatically disqualify a person from holding a card. Other new offences such as deceptive trade practices, carrying a concealed weapon, and aggravated assault prevent a person from holding a card if they were sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

People blocked from holding a card can appeal from their card issuing body - often a port authority - to the Australian Government's Office of Transport Security.

For more information visit http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport/security/maritime/msic.aspx

This page was generated on 23 July, 2010