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Australia restricts liquid on flights over terror fears (NZ Herald 8.12.07)

CANBERRA - Air travellers entering and leaving Australia will face new restrictions on liquids carried in hand luggage from early next year.

The move follows the arrest in the United Kingdom of terrorism suspects plotting to blow up airliners using the ingredients of liquid explosive smuggled aboard in hand luggage.

Transport Minister Mark Vaile said today that the government would introduce the new hand luggage restrictions in late March.

"As a result of vulnerabilities exposed in the UK in August with regard to liquids being carried in hand luggage onto international flights, the government this week has taken a decision that as of March 31 next year, all international travellers, both outbound and inbound, ... will need to be restricted in the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels to 100 millilitre containers," he told ABC Radio.

"Those containers will need to be carried in a one litre clear plastic bag in hand luggage and separately screened in the way, for example, that laptop computer batteries are separately screened."

Mr Vaile said the regulations did not apply to liquids in checked luggage, only hand luggage.

He said there would be exceptions for passengers with medical conditions who needed particular medications and also for quantities of baby milk or baby food required for the flight.

They would still have to be screened, he said, adding that experience abroad had shown that the extra screening did not cause much inconvenience or delay.

- AAP

Restrictions will be introduced late March, so fine for going over for CF, but those traveling over for Festival should watch out.
Wonder if this affects duty free alcohol, or if it is purchased behind security lines it is ok. Otherwise the duty free industry would be up in arms howling. Haven't heard anything about it in the news over here (but it was released today I think. Wonder if they will try and hush it up...