ID card back on agenda in national security overhaul

A NATIONAL identification card for every Australian is back on the agenda, while cargo from the Middle-East will now undergo exhaustive security checks.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton in Parliament House. Picture: Gary Ramage

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A NATIONAL identification card for every Australian is back on the agenda, while cargo from the Middle-East will now undergo exhaustive security checks.

It comes as the Turnbull government­ examines new ways to strengthen security at airports. Security flaws at regional airports, where passengers and cargo do not undergo any screening, is also being immediately reviewed.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester and Justice Minister Michael­ Keenan will present a range of measures to the National­ Security Committee of Cabinet soon — possibly within the week. Requiring passengers to show ID before boarding domestic flights will be considered, with sources suggesting there could be renewed discussion about a national ID card.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton in Parliament House. Picture Gary Ramage

It comes as a fourth man arrested­ over an alleged terror plot to blow up a Sydney plane was released, after being charged with possessing a prohibited weapon.

A similar idea for an Australia­ Card was once controversially­ proposed by former prime minister Bob Hawke in the ’80s, and led to a double dissolution election, before being voted down once again in the Senate before being dropped.

Senator Pauline Hanson has previously called for a similar card introduction.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester.

An Australia Card has been raised at various points since, by former prime minister John Howard and One Nation’s Pauline Hanson.

The ministers are pulling together a range of options to improve security for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to consider at the NSC.

READ MORE: Sydney steps up security in the wake of London terror attack

Mr Chester’s office confirmed there will be a review of the security discrepancies between large regional airports that fly to Australia’s cities, amid concerns about the low level of screening.

The Daily Telegraph understands there have been community and industry concerns that some regional airports have no screening at all for smaller planes, passengers or their luggage.

There is renewed security advice on potential threats, with a focus on how materials are sent around the world, after components for an explosive device were mailed to a Sydney suburb from Syria.

A senior government source said there will be greater scrutiny of parcels and cargo from certain high-risk parts of the world such as the Middle East. Mr Dutton­, Mr Chester and Mr Keenan would not comment on the security overhaul.