John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I have certainly asked my department to examine the coroner’s report thoroughly to ensure that the appropriate remedial action is being taken to address these deficiencies and to report to me if any further action is needed. I also inform the Senate that this month I will be visiting Border Protection Command in Darwin for the specific purpose of seeing at first hand the practices and procedures they follow in boarding SIEVs and the training and preparation they provide to the personnel involved in Australia’s maritime border operations. I will take that opportunity to personally thank the men and women who work hard and sacrifice much to ensure the effectiveness of this important task.

There is no doubt that this was a terrible tragedy. It claimed the lives of five people and had an impact on many others, including the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who were involved. As we all recognise, the ADF personnel assigned to— (Time expired)