Stephen Smith (Perth, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

On indulgence, I would like to make some brief remarks about the plane missing between Cameroon and the Congo on which are aboard six Australian citizens and one permanent Australian resident. I know the House will be both concerned and distressed at the news over the weekend of a plane chartered by Sundance Resources—a well-known Western Australian mineral resources industry player. The plane took off from Cameroon for what was a flight of an hour’s duration and after three or four hours was reported missing. We are, of course, very seriously concerned about the welfare, wellbeing and safety of the six Australian citizens and the one Australian permanent resident on board.

Consular officials have been providing every assistance to Sundance Resources and have been providing consular assistance to the families. That is being effected out of Canberra and out of Perth. Our High Commissioner to Nigeria is currently on the ground in Cameroon liaising directly with the Cameroon authorities and company representatives. The search is being coordinated and directed by Cameroon authorities in close consultation with the company itself. The company has had an interest in the iron ore prospective region near the border area of Cameroon, the Congo and Gabon since about 2006.

It is still the early hours of the morning in Cameroon in West Africa. At first light this morning the search will resume. It will resume with the assistance of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Yesterday’s search provided no conclusive evidence, but the general search area is in the border area between Cameroon and the Congo. The plane made usual procedural contact after 30 minutes of a one-hour flight.

A number of the board members of Sundance Resources would be well known to members of this House. This will be a very, very difficult time and a time of great distress for the families, for other management of Sundance Resources and also for employees of the company. I am sure that all of the thoughts, wishes and prayers of the House will be with the family members, the company managers and the employees at this very difficult time. I will keep the House informed, as appropriate, of any developments when the search resumes. I thank the House.

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