Local wharfies tag on to the age of terror

Andrew Mathieson
Terrorism fears will lead to Geelong maritime workers wearing security tags for the first time.
The identification of workers at Geelong’s port will be in line with all Australian harbours as part of a Commonwealth Government initiative.
Toll Geelong Port general manager Lindsay Ward said the tags would “reduce the risk of a security incident”.
“It’s part of a drive to improve Australia’s port security and we’re obviously an active supporter of that,” Mr Ward said.
“It’s being introduced Australia-wide as a result of the recent heightened awareness of terrorism.”
Mr Ward said recent security breaches at the port had not prompted introduction of the Government’s Maritime Security Identification Card in Geelong.
In separate incidents earlier this year, activists jumped aboard vessels to protest woodchipping and a member of a foreign crew member threatened to start a fire aboard a ship.
The Government has based the new ID card on security systems at Australia’s airports.