In my limited knowledge on the matter, my understanding is that jammers usually work by throwing large amounts of garbage signal into the spectrum to disrupt normal radio communications. Maybe I'm a ninny, but wouldn't that be the exact type of interference airlines would be worried about harming avionics?

And worried a person's computer took down a plane? Please. Lightning can strike an aircraft and it stays aloft but a source of nearly negligible electric draw and electromagnetic interference and a wifi card are the source of an airliner's near doom?

They must think the kool-aid is really strong in Australia or something.

and what exactly would be so bad about a phone picking up multiple signals from several ground based stations?

Nothing.. except of course that then they can't charge you $8.99/minute to make/receive a call... so they just jam the signal to force you to use their high priced repeater service... easiest money ever.. oh and suddenly radio signals (jamming signals no less) are no longer a safety concern.. yay

... what if the plan crashes?

People stuck in a plane, perhaps cabin crew dead, door locked to avoid entry to terrorists, and not a single mobile signal for any of the passengers.