Concerns Raised About Safety, Potential Use By Terrorists

A group of Senators in the Australian Parliament has called for a freeze on the sale of UAVs in Australia.

Business Insider Australia reports that Senators from both sides of the political spectrum raised questions about delays in a safety review of unmanned aircraft that was expected eight months ago. The review has reportedly not yet begun.

The safety review was proposed over concerns about the chance of terrorist using drones to attack civilians or aircraft operating at major airports. Videos have been released by ISIS of drones being used to drop grenades, and there have been numerous attempts to use drones to deliver contraband to prisons in New South Wales and Tasmania, according to the report.

The Senators are also apparently concerned about reports of drones flying close to commercial airliners.

Among the witnesses at the hearing was Mike Mrdak is Secretary, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development. He told the Senators that authorities are still determining if the country's currently regulations are adequate.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original Report