Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Transport) Share this | Hansard source

This tragedy is a chilling reminder of the danger of the mining industry, and it has brought it to the attention of not just the Australian public but people around the world. I was in the People’s Republic of China when the accident occurred and I followed much of the reporting on CNN and BBC television. Without a doubt it grabbed the attention of people around the world. At the same time, unfortunately, a mine disaster in China claimed the lives of 27 Chinese miners. Of course, China has a very poor record in relation to fatalities in their mining sector and there are some significant problems that they are trying to address.

I think that the magnificent success of the mine rescue operation in Tasmania told a tale about the desire that the Australian people have to try, as far as possible, to make true the maxim that when people go to work they should expect to return home at the end of the day. Unfortunately, Larry Knight’s family was unable to see him come home at the end of what turned out to be not a day but a long process to rescue Todd Russell and Brant Webb. That process of rescue, which was well documented in newspapers and in the electronic media not just in Australia but around the world, showed the ingenuity, concern and resources that the Australian community were prepared to put behind the rescue of two miners in a place that most Australians, let alone most people in the world, had never heard of: Beaconsfield, a place 20 kilometres from the place where I live in the Tamar Valley in north-eastern Tasmania. It showed the resources, the hopes and the faith that the community were prepared to put behind what became one of the most important causes for the Australian nation—the rescue of Todd Russell and Brant Webb.

The effort that went into the rescue of Todd and Brant was not, in the minds of people, because they were more deserving than anyone else; we would all expect the same effort from our community were we to find ourselves in similar circumstances. Of course, most of us will never find ourselves in anything like those circumstances. The dangers of underground mining have been emphasised in our minds as a result of this tragedy, and I think that we have to appreciate all of the work that has been put in by miners and their representatives over the years to highlight the need for safety in the mining sector. Over the years there have been many lives lost in the mining sector and, unfortunately, that continues around the world.

It was an absolute privilege to be able to attend the celebration of the life of Larry Knight on Tuesday in Launceston at his funeral. It was magnificently attended and it was a very touching portrayal of the life of Larry and his family. The support of his community and his love of motorcycling and motorcycles were well depicted. We all would have seen the parade of motorcyclists on some very impressive motorcycles at the end of the funeral. I think most of the motorcycles were Harley-Davidsons, but not all.

What better way for Larry to be supported to his final resting place than by a group of men and women riding the sorts of vehicles that Larry had taken such great pride in. It was a depiction of the enjoyment that Larry received during his life through his involvement in restoring and keeping motorcycles and motor vehicles in his newly constructed shed—although I understand that Larry was not a very good driver, from what was reported to us at the ceremony.

There are many people who are entitled to expect their efforts to be applauded. Mayor Easther and the mine manager made some telling contributions over time to keep the public informed, as did Mr Shorten, the federal secretary of the Australian Workers Union, who was given credit for keeping the public informed over a long period of time when comment was not coming from the mine. I think we will always remember that, and I do recall seeing Mr Shorten’s contribution when I was in China and thinking that he served the members of his union well by presenting himself so well in that context. I thank the Senate for the opportunity to speak on this matter.