Mr GUNNER - 2009-04-28
On 16 April 2009, we became aware of the explosion and subsequent fire on board a vessel under escort by the Royal Australian Navy in the vicinity of Ashmore Reef. Can you please inform the House of the Northern Territory’s role in responding to this tragedy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. This has been a tragedy. On Thursday, 16 April, following reports of an explosion onboard a vessel at Ashmore Reef, the Australian Mass Casualty Burn Disaster Plan and the Commonwealth Government Disaster Response Plan were activated. At the local level, I received a phone call and was advised that Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services had activated the Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate what has been a very impressive multi-agency response. At Royal Darwin Hospital, the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre was activated.
Under section 6 of the Commonwealth Ashmore and Cartier Islands Acceptance Act, the laws of the Northern Territory apply to this area, thus the NT Police role as lead agency into the investigation. RDH very quickly sent a team of 15 health professionals to Truscott, including nine critical care nurses, and doctors, and aero-retrieval staff. The NT Health team took command of the triage and overall operation, and coordinated the dispatch of patients to Royal Darwin Hospital. It was a very impressive performance at a time when there really was chaos all around and events where unfolding. Those staff took control and took command of the situation in a very professional way.
Northern Territory Police coordinated the reception of all passengers arriving in Darwin via aircraft and ADF vessels, including three deceased persons coming to Darwin. Seven of the total patients stabilised in Darwin were sent on to Royal Brisbane Hospital because their burns exceeded 30%. Six of the injured passengers remain in Royal Darwin Hospital, whilst others have been released and they are now the responsibility of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Files on the five deceased people will be prepared by NT Police on behalf of the Coroner. The Northern Territory Coroner has released the autopsy results from three deceased people who were brought to Darwin. The provisional cause of the deaths is drowning, subject to toxicology and other forensic pathology tests.
Following a significant political debate at a national level, and considerable speculation surrounding the cause of the explosion, and accusations, deplorable as they are, of a cover up, a media release was issued by NT Police on Monday, 20 April at 12.26 pm, followed by a media conference by Acting Commander Bravos, Crime Command, to refute such speculation and claims. Acting Commander Bravos said, ‘Speculation and claims of a cover up are disappointing’. He said: ‘Northern Territory Police are committed to finding all the answers surrounding this tragedy and will not be responding to, or influenced by, rumour. Our job is to investigate, not speculate’.
I take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of Northern Command and the ADF personnel who were present at the incident for their outstanding rescue efforts in traumatic circumstances. Similarly, the response team from Royal Darwin Hospital, aided by St John Ambulance, and Darwin Private Hospital which cared for the injured, has been commendable and something that all Territorians should be proud of.
I visited the hospital on 21 April, where I spoke to and thanked many of the people who responded to and cared for these people in very traumatic circumstances. I said to all of them that, as Territorians, we are all very proud of Royal Darwin Hospital, their response, and the care and dedication of their people. As Len Notaras explained to me, it is not just the clinical care at Royal Darwin Hospital; the whole hospital swings in at a time of crisis. This is the fifth time Royal Darwin Hospital has been called on in such circumstances.
I am sure I speak on behalf of all members of this House, on behalf of all Territorians, to once again commend all the staff at RDH, staff at St John Ambulance, our police who are leading the investigation, and all Territorians who, once again, have stood up when this country has called upon them to stand up.
Members: Hear, hear!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. This has been a tragedy. On Thursday, 16 April, following reports of an explosion onboard a vessel at Ashmore Reef, the Australian Mass Casualty Burn Disaster Plan and the Commonwealth Government Disaster Response Plan were activated. At the local level, I received a phone call and was advised that Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services had activated the Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate what has been a very impressive multi-agency response. At Royal Darwin Hospital, the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre was activated.
Under section 6 of the Commonwealth Ashmore and Cartier Islands Acceptance Act, the laws of the Northern Territory apply to this area, thus the NT Police role as lead agency into the investigation. RDH very quickly sent a team of 15 health professionals to Truscott, including nine critical care nurses, and doctors, and aero-retrieval staff. The NT Health team took command of the triage and overall operation, and coordinated the dispatch of patients to Royal Darwin Hospital. It was a very impressive performance at a time when there really was chaos all around and events where unfolding. Those staff took control and took command of the situation in a very professional way.
Northern Territory Police coordinated the reception of all passengers arriving in Darwin via aircraft and ADF vessels, including three deceased persons coming to Darwin. Seven of the total patients stabilised in Darwin were sent on to Royal Brisbane Hospital because their burns exceeded 30%. Six of the injured passengers remain in Royal Darwin Hospital, whilst others have been released and they are now the responsibility of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Files on the five deceased people will be prepared by NT Police on behalf of the Coroner. The Northern Territory Coroner has released the autopsy results from three deceased people who were brought to Darwin. The provisional cause of the deaths is drowning, subject to toxicology and other forensic pathology tests.
Following a significant political debate at a national level, and considerable speculation surrounding the cause of the explosion, and accusations, deplorable as they are, of a cover up, a media release was issued by NT Police on Monday, 20 April at 12.26 pm, followed by a media conference by Acting Commander Bravos, Crime Command, to refute such speculation and claims. Acting Commander Bravos said, ‘Speculation and claims of a cover up are disappointing’. He said: ‘Northern Territory Police are committed to finding all the answers surrounding this tragedy and will not be responding to, or influenced by, rumour. Our job is to investigate, not speculate’.
I take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of Northern Command and the ADF personnel who were present at the incident for their outstanding rescue efforts in traumatic circumstances. Similarly, the response team from Royal Darwin Hospital, aided by St John Ambulance, and Darwin Private Hospital which cared for the injured, has been commendable and something that all Territorians should be proud of.
I visited the hospital on 21 April, where I spoke to and thanked many of the people who responded to and cared for these people in very traumatic circumstances. I said to all of them that, as Territorians, we are all very proud of Royal Darwin Hospital, their response, and the care and dedication of their people. As Len Notaras explained to me, it is not just the clinical care at Royal Darwin Hospital; the whole hospital swings in at a time of crisis. This is the fifth time Royal Darwin Hospital has been called on in such circumstances.
I am sure I speak on behalf of all members of this House, on behalf of all Territorians, to once again commend all the staff at RDH, staff at St John Ambulance, our police who are leading the investigation, and all Territorians who, once again, have stood up when this country has called upon them to stand up.
Members: Hear, hear!
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016