Australia Integrates Security Systems

Australia has launched a new border security system, which will see the integration of six security checks into one computer program.

The system will screen arriving passengers and flag those who may jeopardise security.

The government says the system will better detect people trying to enter Australia illegally, while speeding up the immigration process for others.

Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Evans says the system will reduce the potential for "staff error" and make the whole process quicker for the vast majority of fliers.

"There was a real prospect under the previous system of people getting through because officers couldn't bring all the information together quickly enough," he says.

"This allows us to identify and weed out those of concern, have them interviewed, but allow the other passengers to move through quickly so that people aren't delayed unnecessarily."

By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh