Yay.... Not that it makes that much difference but...

[stellar_muddle]

Australia passport queues eased for NZers
Australia passport queues eased for NZers (NZ Herald 22/11/05)

From Thursday, New Zealand and Australian passport-holders arriving at major Australian airports will be able to queue in the same lanes for customs and immigration checks.

The changes were announced yesterday by the Australian Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, and the New Zealand Minister of Customs, Nanaia Mahuta.

Finally things catch up over here...
Mind you, still means you have to wait for the luggage to turn up on the carosel...

Comments

[alpha-angel.livejournal.com]

So I get to join the short queue on the way to Festival?

[stellar-muddle.livejournal.com]

You get the go straight queue, as opposed to the Disneyland squiggle back and forth and back and forth and back and forth and try not to strangle the plane load of giggling asian school girls ahead of you queue. The one which is normally empty while the international one is still 80% full one...
Yes, the short queue...
:)

[basal-surge.livejournal.com]

YOu may want to check their customs regs before you come over though, as if you are bringing armour, Customs has just made it a prohibited import. Stupid bureaucratic wankers. Hopefully there'll be a medievalist exception to the regs by festival.

[stellar-muddle.livejournal.com]

From the sounds of the discussion on the Lochac list (esp wrt Crispin's comments), that shouldn't be an issue. Making sure you have a copy of your SCA membership card (if you have one) would possibly be a good idea though.

[alpha-angel.livejournal.com]

I checked when it first came up. Got this back from Aussie Customs

Kerry,

Thankyou for your enquiry.
The amendment to Item 29A of Schedule 2 of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 reads:

29A Body armour, protective jackets, protective vests, protective suits, anti-ballistic articles or any other similar articles:

(a) able to be worn, either independently, or as part of something else, on the human body; and

(b) designed or adapted to protect the human body from the effects of a weapon (for example, a knife);

other than anti-ballistic articles used for eye or hearing protection

The amendment was tabled before the Federal Executive Council on 10 November, registered on 11 November, and came into force on 12 November 2005.

The amendment is available on the ComLaw Internet site, and can be accessed through the search function under the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments number F2005L03255.

Bullet-proof vests, bomb-proof suits, covert (hidden) ballistic and stab-proof vests, of the type used by law enforcement officers, military personnel, or security officers, are among the types of body armour and protective apparel that it is the intention of the amendment to be controlled on importation into Australia. Importers of these types of protective apparel may continue to import these goods on application to the Minister for Justice and Customs for permission to import.

It is not the intention of the amendment to capture articles used for body or head protection in sporting events, or to control articles or replica articles used in medieval re-enactments, or historical stage or film productions, or similar theatrical events. Permission to import these articles is not required, and they can continue to be imported without restriction.

Thank you for your interest in this matter. If I can be of further assistance in relation to this or other Customs matters, please contact me directly.

For further information please visit the Customs website, www.customs.gov.au.
Regards,

Katie Gibson
Senior Information Officer
Customs Information and Support Centre
Ph: 1300 558 099
Fax: 02 8339 6714
Website: www.customs.gov.au