Australia “looking closely” at laptop ban

Australia “looking closely” at laptop ban
By Hannah Edensor


Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has showed signs of potentially following Donald Trump’s lead, after he claimed the government was considering its own version of the laptop ban.

Per AAP, global concerns about a new terrorist threat have left Australia’s own government pondering whether it’s time we messed up our own air travel. (Hint – if these reports are anything to go by, we really, really shouldn’t).

Per AAP media reports, Turnbull today said, “We are looking at it very closely”.

“We are taking into account all of the information and advice we’re receiving internationally and we’re working very closely with our partners.”

The reports also claimed Transport Minister Darren Chester said our country currently has very strong security systems in place to ensure travellers’ safety is the number one focus.

“The government continuously monitors shifts in the threat environment domestically and overseas to ensure we have the best security arrangements in place to meet the challenges we face,” he told AAP.

It comes as the US considers expanding the laptop ban to the UK and also into Europe, following intelligence that terrorist groups like Islamic State could be working on new attacks involving bombs in laptops.

But a number of experts have offered up the insight that a bomb within a laptop can still go off in the cargo holds of a plane, having similar deadly effects.

Per the New York Post, the European Aviation Safety Agency said electronic devices like laptops containing lithium batteries “are considered as dangerous goods”.

“When carried by passengers, they should preferably be carried in the passenger cabin.”

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

    Latest comments

    1. ….again we were right not to give wifi for free… now there is a potential for our internet kiosk earning bigger revenue… usb will be big business too… huge potential too for device rental business…. the locals will benefit for sure…. flights will be lighter too… less fuel consumption.. less traffic going thru security check at airports… positive things comes from within… you may be surrounded by negative stuff but if your positive from inside and out you’ll surely rise above the occassion…

@australia electronics ban malcolm turnbull

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