Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That the Senate:

(a)

records its deep regret at the tragic loss of life and serious injuries that resulted from the aircraft accident in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on 7 March 2007;

(b)

notes that amongst the killed and injured were Australians serving their nation, working for the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Defence Forces, the Department of Foreign Affairs, AusAID and as journalists; and

(c)

expresses its sincere condolences, together with all Australians, to the families and loved ones of the five Australians and others who died and wishes those injured an early recovery.

It is with heartfelt sadness that I rise on behalf of the government to offer sincere condolences to the families of those five Australians killed in the Garuda flight crash in Indonesia. I also extend on behalf of the government and all senators best wishes to those injured and those recovering from their injuries.

The five Australians who died in this terrible accident were the journalist for the Australian Financial Review, Morgan Mellish; Elizabeth O’Neill from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, serving as the public affairs officer and information officer of the Australian embassy in Jakarta; AFP officers Mark Scott and Brice Steele, who were posted at the embassy; and Allison Sudradjat, the head of AusAID in Indonesia. These individuals were all serving the Australian people in some capacity or other and all are remembered for their professionalism and their commitment to their work.

Four of the victims were associated with our embassy in Jakarta and our sympathy is extended particularly to the other embassy staff at their time of grief. That embassy has endured an enormous amount over the past few years, including the two Bali bombings and the embassy itself being bombed in 2004. The embassy’s resilience under such tragic circumstances should make every Australian proud.

The professionalism and dedication of these Australian victims was noted by Indonesian President Yudhoyono, in a letter to our Prime Minister, in the days following the tragedy. Their significant contributions to bilateral relations between our two countries were commended by the President of Indonesia. Their loss leaves an enormous gap in the lives of their loved ones and at our embassy in Jakarta.

I note that Morgan Mellish was known to many of us. Indeed, he interviewed me on several occasions. His death reminds us of the dangers that professional journalists face in serving the cause of informing the Australian public of domestic and international events. Theirs is a more dangerous profession than most, and we respect them for their often selfless dedication to their important role in our democracy. My own brother, Will Minchin, was a very close friend of Morgan for some 18 years since they met when studying and residing together here in Canberra at the ANU. So Morgan’s death has also affected my own family.

Many people here in Canberra have been saddened by the loss of their work colleagues and friends. We acknowledge the professionalism and courage of those who had terrible jobs to do in the aftermath of the tragedy, particularly when they had also lost friends and colleagues. I want to record my particular sympathies for my good friend and ministerial colleague Alexander Downer, for whom this must have been a heartbreaking occasion.

We also remember the many Indonesians who lost their lives in this tragic accident and we convey our sympathies to their families. On behalf of the government I extend our sincere gratitude to the Indonesian authorities for their cooperation and assistance in these difficult circumstances. Their response is greatly appreciated by the Australian government. In conclusion, I again convey our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Our thoughts are with their families, friends and work colleagues at this tragic time.