Australia boosts anti-terror steps at small airports

Transport Minister John Anderson said 48 million dollars (34 million US) would be spent over four years on security and anti-terrorism measures at 146 small regional airports around the country.

As part of the plan, four eight-member rapid response teams would be formed using officers from the Australian Federal Police and bomb experts from other agencies, Anderson said.

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Regional airport and airline staff will get extra security training, cockpit doors on charter planes will be strengthened and closed-circuit surveillance systems will be trialled at some sites, he said.

Australia, one of Washington's closest allies, has been singled out as a prime target for future attacks by Al-Qaeda and related groups, notably since Howard contributed forces for the US-led invasion of Iraq.