BOYCOTT BID FOR AIRLINE

Federal MPs will be asked to boycott Ansett Airlines over its move to
install syringe disposal bins on domestic aircraft.

The chairman of the Federal Government's parliamentary travel forum,
Senator Ross Llghtfoot, said MPs would be asked not to travel with
Ansett.

"MPs will be told Qantas is the preferred airline for MP travel," he
said.

But Senator Lightfoot's claim flies in the face of praise by health
authorities, who have commended Ansett's plan.

Senator Lightfoot, a West Australian Liberal, said at least 30 MPs
from both major parties had already indicated they would not use Ansett.

"There is considerable disquiet among the ranks and there are major
safety concerns," he said.

Ansett spokesman Peter Young said yesterday the aIrline would not back
down on syringe disposal bins.

"This Is a straight up-and-down duty of care and public health Issue;'
Mr Young said.

He said 60 syringes bad been found in disposal bins on Ansett flights
in the past two months.

"We would have been negligent on safety grounds if we had continued to
allow people to dump syringes in seat pockets and on seats."

All Ansett aircraft are expected to be fitted with the bins by
January.

Senator Lightfoot conceded a ban would be difficult to
implement.

Checked-by: derek rea