The Australian Government has no intention of changing legislation to allow casinos, poker machines or TAB operations at passenger airports, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services Mark Vaile said on January 30.

"I do not support any changes to the current system. There is certainly no reason to introduce poker machines, casinos or TAB operations at Australian passenger airports. Passengers do not come to airports to gamble," Mr Vaile said.

Mr Vaile was responding to a Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) proposal in its submission to the Senate Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport, that its airport newsagents be permitted to sell 'scratchies' and lottery tickets.

BAC argues that these are the same products that newsagents around the country supply and people expect airport newsagents to be able to sell them too.

The Senate Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport is currently conducting public hearings in relation to its inquiry into the Airports Amendments Bill 2006.

"I will be interested to hear the Committee's views on the matter of newsagents' ability to sell "scratchies" and lotto tickets. I imagine most Australians probably thought newsagents at airports already sold them," Mr Vaile said.