Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. His comments go to the release of the coroner’s report in the Northern Territory today. They also go to various contents of the report and actions which he argues arise from it.

First of all, I go to the content of the report. Firstly, I am advised that the coroner’s finding is that crimes may have been committed in connection with the explosion. The coroner proposes to refer these findings to the NT Commissioner of Police and the NT Director of Public Prosecutions. The coroner noted that he only has to have a belief about a crime being committed and that the question of whether or not there is sufficient basis for further investigation and prosecution is a matter for them. Therefore, I would say in response to the honourable member that it is important to proceed cautiously in public comments on a matter which has been referred to the relevant legal authorities.

The second point I would make is that the Northern Territory coroner has also concluded that the explosion was caused when a passenger or passengers deliberately ignited petrol which had collected in the bilge area below the deck of SIEV 36. I also say in response to this that in relation to certain other matters canvassed by the coroner I reiterate what I said earlier in this place: we should all remember that under these difficult circumstances our ADF personnel are working under very difficult and trying circumstances. I think all members of this House would agree with that.

Furthermore, I refer to another element of what the NT coroner’s findings have contained. The coroner’s findings have said that the action taken by Navy personnel was appropriate, and more passengers may have died but for the action they took. In terms of subsequent action, that should be considered on a case-by-case basis by the relevant minister.

See this speech in context