David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Faulkner. In respect of the SIEV36 incident, it has been contended by the government:

… the fire was deliberately lit by one or more persons who had travelled to Australia on SIEV36 and that the fire took hold and led to an almost immediate explosion because petrol had been deliberately poured into the bilge by one or more of the persons who had travelled to Australia on SIEV36.

Further evidence presented to the coronial inquiry by the government clearly shows the ADF personnel treated the SIEV36 passengers with respect, courtesy and dignity. In light of these contentions by the government, why has the minister not defended the integrity and honour of the ADF personnel who had to contend with a series of horrific events aboard the SIEV36?