News

Australian MPs empty-handed at ATM due to stand-off over fire power

December 16, 2003

SYDNEY - A brand new ATM in Australia's Parliament House for a time wore an "out of service" tag because of a stand-off between security company Armaguard and Australia's parliamentary management.

According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, firearms are not allowed inside Parliament House.

However, Armaguard refused to order its guards to disarm to deliver money to the ATM located in the building's foyer because of Sydney's high robbery rate.

"We have certain obligations to our employees and our insurers," said Armaguard's national security manager, Bob Bruce. "We're not prepared to ask our crews to be disarmed in an environment like it is at the moment."

The problem was resolved on Dec. 17, according to the Morning Herald, with Armaguard agreeing to make armed deliveries outside of regular business hours.