A Filipino Melbourne Airport employee has been charged for allegedly creating and using fake identification documents to enter restricted areas.
The Australian Border Force said on Friday they started a joint investigation with the Australian Federal Police in May this year after an airport worker allegedly falsified an Aviation Security identification Card (ASIC) and unlawfully entered the airport’s restricted areas.
A 26-year-old woman was interviewed in May, and later charged on summons to appear in Broadmeadows Magistrates Court today.
She has been charged with three counts of using false documents, three counts of making a false document, one count of obtaining financial advantage by deception, and one count of failing to display red/grey ASIC-secure area.
The offences carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Stephen Cook said the charges should serve as a warning to airport employees around Australia.
“AFP officers patrol all nine major Australian airports to ensure the safety of passengers and visitors within the precinct and its surrounds,” he said.
“Those who attempt to compromise the aviation security framework and contravene aviation safety rules, including employees, can face prosecution.”
Header image: Melbourne Airport (Phil Vabre, GFDL or GFDL, via Wikimedia Commons).