Australia To Use Face-scanning To Combat Terrorism
Australia plans to fingerprint and face-scan visitors from 10 high-risk countries in an attempt to combat terrorism. Hopefully other countries will soon follow their lead.
From the UK’s Telegraph – Unveiling the government’s long-awaited white paper on counter-extremism, Kevin Rudd, the prime minister, said Australia was also concerned about the rising threat from home-grown militancy, just one week after five Sydney men received long jail terms for planning a violent jihad attack.
“Terrorism continues to pose a serious threat and a serious challenge to Australia’s security interests. That threat is not diminishing,” Mr Rudd said.
“In fact, the government security intelligence agencies assess that terrorism has become a persistent and permanent feature of Australia’s security environment. These agencies warn that an attack could occur at any time.
“Prior to the rise of jihadist terrorism, Australia was not a specific target, now Australia is.”
Under the plans, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship would begin collecting the fingerprints and facial images this year, and cross-check them with immigration and law enforcement databases in Australia and overseas.
Stephen Smith, the foreign minister, said Australia would delay naming the countries where visa applicants will need to submit to fingerprints and face-scans before they will be issued with a visa for entry into Australia, admitting that a “diplomatic effort” would have to be made with their governments.
via Australia to use face-scanning and fingerprints to combat terrorism – Telegraph – Read Full Article.
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I think you are playing a very dangerous game as a goverment when you are putting extra security measures on certain countries. Whilst it is true that these ten countries may possess a greater risk as I would expect the Australian Intelligence Agencies to be very well informed on the issue, I would argue that this does not justify putting everyone from these countries into the category of being a high-risk.
The Australian government has an important role to play in the image that it puts across when combatting terrorism. Simply putting everyone in the same boat is likely to have a knock on effect that has been witnessed throughout the western world. They are providing ammunition for radicalisers against the state and fueling the anger that young muslims are feeling.
I would propose that if the Australian feels it necessary to use fingerprint and face-scanning equipment then it must apply this to all nationalities who are entering Australia, especially Australian citizens themselves.