Joint Media release

with Minister for Home Affairs, The Hon Bob Debus MP

1 July 2008

Australia and the EU Sign Passenger Name Record (PNR) Agreement

Mr Debus and Mr Smith welcomed the signing in Brussels on 30 June of a European Union (EU)-Australia Passenger Name Record (PNR) Agreement.

The PNR Agreement will allow for information about travellers flying into Australia on airlines using EU-based IT service providers to be disclosed to Australian Customs officials.

The data comprises 19 categories of information including passport details, travel itineraries and payment details, but will not include sensitive personal information such as race or religion.

The ability to access this key information on airline passengers is a vital border security tool for Australia.  It will assist in the fight against terrorism and serious crimes.  Customs’ handling of personal information, such as its collection, use, disclosure, access, storage and security is governed by Australian privacy laws.

Both Ministers welcomed the Australia-EU agreement as an important step towards closer cooperation between the EU and Australia in these areas. Mr Smith thanked the Foreign Minister of Slovenia, Dr Dimitrij Rupel, for Slovenia’s cooperation in taking forward the PNR Agreement as EU President when they met in Kyoto, Japan last week in the margins of the G8 Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Mr Smith said the PNR Agreement was the first important, concrete outcome of the new era of broad-based cooperation between Australia and the EU launched by Prime Minister Rudd and EC President Barroso in Brussels in April.

Mr Debus said the Agreement was vital for facilitating passenger arrival clearances and for border security at airports in Australia.

He added that it was important that an agreement was reached as Qantas moved to a PNR information management system operating in Germany.

Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555