A sweeping overhaul of airport security will see police granted new powers to randomly stop passengers for identity checks.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced close to $300 million is being spent beefing up security measures at major and regional airports across the country.

New body scanners and an extra 190 police officers will be introduced, with Law Enforcement Minister Angus Taylor saying the move is a response to increased security threats at airports around the world.

“We had a very real threat in the middle of last year… there was an attempt to bring down an Etihad flight,” Minister Taylor tells Ben Fordham.

“It was a wake-up call for our airport security, we’ve done a lot of work since then.

“This is a full response to that threat and ongoing threats.”

The Minister says it’s “right and proper” for federal police to ask people for ID if they perceive a threat.

“It’s our responsibility as a government to keep all Australians safe and secure.”

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