Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police not stationed at Avalon Airport

Victoria’s second-largest airport has no federal or state police based at it, as a major union calls for a security review after a teen allegedly carrying a shotgun attempted to board a Jetstar flight.

No federal or state police are stationed at Avalon Airport, as the capture of a teen who allegedly brought a shotgun on-board a flight sparks calls for a major review into security at the facility.

Both the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police confirmed to the Herald Sun on Friday they do not have a stationed presence at Avalon.

Security for the airport is completely in the hands of private firm Armaguard, with both Armaguard and Avalon Airport owned by Australian transport and logistics juggernaut Linfox.

The Herald Sun has been told an urgent call-out has been sent to security providers looking for staff to work at Avalon this weekend in the aftermath of a teen gaining access to a Jetstar plane allegedly carrying a loaded shotgun.

Part of that work would involve bolstering protection of the complex’s perimeter.

A teen was restrained by passenger Barry Clark (left) and a Jetstar crew member. Picture 9News

A Jetstar crew member with half of the shotgun. Picture: 9News

Security industry sources were shocked a teenager with a shotgun had allegedly penetrated the airport’s outer ring then walked through the complex without being intercepted, until it reached the point of potentially fatal consequences.

One industry consultant said it was staggering that the security breach had occurred at a piece of “critical infrastructure”.

The consultant said an investigation to the matter needed to be probed if the alleged offender had scoped out the airport before Thursday’s incident.

A Victoria Police spokesman said the force does not have a permanent presence at Avalon.

“However, the precinct is patrolled regularly by local police as part of the Lara response zone,” he said.

“The first police on scene at yesterday’s incident were local police based at Lara.”

Lara is located nearly 10km away from the airport.

The AFP are generally tasked with providing “uniformed and specialist policing” at Australian airports and by “preventing and investigating aviation crime”.

They only perform these duties at Cairns and Townsville, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Darwin airports.

Linfox said they couldn’t make a comment on security at the airport while it was under investigation.

Part of the shotgun lies on the ground. Picture: 9News

Security at Avalon Airport sounded the alarm on their “inherently unstable” working conditions, adding that Thursday’s incident was a “wake-up call” for airport owners Linfox.

United Workers Union Property Services co-ordinator Nick Richardson said screening staff were considering walking off the job prior to the security breach on Thursday.

“This incident is a wake-up call to airport owner Linfox to urgently address workforce stability problems and ensure wages and conditions are brought up to current industry standards,” Mr Richardson said.

“This incident shows security at any airport should not be taken for granted, and that means airport security workers and security screeners should also not be taken for granted.”

Of the approximately 31 security guards working inside the terminal, Mr Richardson claims 20 per cent have raised bullying and harassment claims with the union.

It is understood all security guards employed are under casual contracts.

Union members are currently in the process of voting whether or not to take industrial action should conditions not improve.

“If Linfox fails to address the concerns held by security members, there is a risk that security screeners will vote to stop work,” Mr Richardson said.

Members associated with the UWUPS are not responsible for external security around Avalon Airport.

Security at Avalon Airport says the working conditions are ‘inherently unstable’. Picture: Aaron Francis

The Transport Workers’ Union on Friday called for a review of safe operating procedures at Avalon.

A recent union survey found 54 per cent of aviation workers felt unsafe at work and 65 per cent of cabin crew had dealt with passengers preventing risks to the public.

Secretary Michael Kaine said “serious questions” must be answered about how the “potentially catastrophic event” occurred.

“The aviation community is, of course, shaken by Thursday’s events,” Mr Kaine said.

“These workers deserve to be safe at work, just as travellers deserve to get safely to their destinations.”

Mr Kaine said safety critical jobs had become more insecure and understaffed over the last decade.

“Airline and airport executives have turned this industry into one geared towards short-term profits,” he said.

“We need to see all players working together towards a safer and better aviation industry instead of relentlessly cutting costs, which has seen safety plummet at our airports.

“To do that we need a system that can pull those parties in to make decisions in aviation’s best interests, to keep everyone safe, ensure decent jobs and decent standards for the travelling public.”

The Transport Workers’ Union have called for a review of security. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Kaine called for a commission following allegations of a lack of security at Avalon Airport.

“A Safe and Secure Skies Commission could ensure a review of the security status of all airports on an ongoing basis, to ensure a co-ordinated approach to safety,” he said.

An aviation worker, who did not wish to be named, said passenger behaviour was becoming more “radical”.

“I’ve had to call AFP on a number of occasions to meet the aircraft due to aggressive passenger behaviour that threatened the safety of the passengers,” they said.

“Passenger behaviour is becoming more radical, more aggressive and it’s becoming more dangerous to be contained in a metal tube with them.”

Department of Home Affairs officials are at Avalon to make initial assessments and said it would work closely with the airport and Jetstar.

“The Department has a robust compliance program to ensure that aviation security regulated entities, including airports, are adhering to security requirements,” a statement said.

“As the matter is still being investigated it would not be appropriate to comment further.”

Originally published as Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police not stationed at Avalon Airport