The 47-year-old Victoria Cross recipient was taken into custody at Sydney Airport after arriving from Brisbane and later charged by the Australian Federal Police.
Colleagues paid tribute, with one cabin manager saying they would no longer be able to “look after you on our flights” and asking Ms Evans to “fly with us” in spirit.
High-visibility operations are being rolled out at the AFP’s 10 designated airports, including the recently added Western Sydney Airport, where federal officers formally began security duties in March.
Overseas-born individuals now make up 32 per cent of the country’s estimated population of 27.6 million—approaching the historic peak of 32.4 per cent recorded in 1891.