ARE YOU GOING OVERSEAS?
The Member for Berowra, Philip Ruddock MP, said today that residents travelling overseas from 31 March 2007 should sort through the liquids, aerosols and gels in their carry-on baggage before they leave for overseas.
"The Government is introducing new rules for taking liquids, aerosols and gels on to international flights from 31 March 2007," Mr Ruddock said.
"Every container of liquids, aerosols and gels in your carry-on baggage must be 100 millilitres or less and all the containers must be sealed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag.”
The bag must be no greater than one litre in capacity, which works out to about 20cm by 20cm. You can purchase these bags at most supermarkets.
Prescription medicines are exempt from the new rules, as are baby products and non-prescription medicines that you need for the flight.
"My advice to people going overseas is to organise your plastic bag before you get to the airport, so you have time to pack any containers that are too big into your check-in baggage. Check-in baggage is not affected by the new rules,” Philip Ruddock said.
"In most cases, once you’ve checked your baggage in at domestic airport first you will not see it again until you reach your destination overseas.”
The Government understands that these new rules may cause some inconvenience, but they are needed to protect airline passengers from the threat of a terrorist attack using liquid explosives.
To find out more, you can talk to your airline or travel agent, visit www.dotars.gov.au or phone the Government's hotline on 1300 791 581.
These new rules are needed to protect airline passengers from the threat of a terrorist attack using liquid explosives, like the one that the British police foiled at Heathrow Airport last year.
"To find out more, you can talk to your airline or travel agent, visit www.dotars.gov.au or phone the Government's hotline on 1300 791 581," Mr Ruddock said.