The Commonwealth is seeking over $2 billion in damages against 3M, the company responsible for manufacturing a firefighting repellent for defence sites known as aqueous film-forming foam that was found to contain PFAS.

Swissport says its “rigorous global benchmarks” have resulted in a 56 per cent drop in recordable injuries over five years since it took over ground handling for many airlines; a 43 per cent reduction in lost time injuries over previous in-house operations; and a 75 per cent improvement in damage to Qantas aircraft.

More than 100 members of the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) attended the protest at Canberra Airport on Wednesday, calling on Swissport to ensure job security and address “widespread safety breaches” as negotiations get underway, saying they are preparing to put a claim on the company.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC, CSC, OAM, said the arrival of the final P‑8A Poseidon aircraft demonstrates Air Force’s commitment to delivering on the National Defence Strategy.