MEDIA RELEASE
Media Enquiries: National Communications (02) 6264 2244
113.09
17 December 2009
Malu Sara tragedy: DIAC acts on Comcare’s findings
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will carefully study the
findings released today from the Comcare investigation into the loss of five people
in October 2005 on board the immigration vessel, the Malu Sara.
Secretary Andrew Metcalfe said the tragedy led to a major review to ensure DIAC
did everything it could to avoid such a tragedy ever happening again.
“At the core of the department’s actions following the tragedy has been our concern
for the immediate and extended families, friends and colleagues of those who were
lost. In addition to public expressions of sorrow, I have recently written personally
to the families of those who were lost to say sorry and again extend our sympathy
to them,” Mr Metcalfe said today.
Mr Metcalfe said much work had already been done to improve immigration
operations in the Torres Strait since 2005.
“DIAC has not waited for the various inquiries into this tragic accident to be
completed before taking action,” Mr Metcalfe said. “We immediately withdrew the
boats from service following the tragedy and commenced an internal investigation
into aspects of the loss of the Malu Sara. We do not plan to use boats again and
they will be appropriately disposed of when Comcare releases them back to us.
“We undertook a review of our Torres Strait operations and established a North
Queensland headquarters based in Cairns. In addition, a dedicated contracts and
procurement advice area was established to provide staff with expert in-house legal
advice at every stage of the procurement process.”
The department also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with other
Commonwealth agencies operating vessels in the Torres Strait, governing the
sharing of marine assets, and standards and procedures for the operation of the
vessels. “We are committed to working with Comcare and other agencies to
establish what processes can be further refined in terms of procurement, contract
management and training,” the secretary said.
“Clearly there are also major implications for other agencies and individuals. DIAC
has cooperated fully with Comcare and other agencies during their investigations.
We have accepted the findings from these investigations and will continue to
improve our processes,” he added.
The department’s view is that Comcare's findings do not affect the current civil
compensation claims received in connection with the loss of the Malu Sara and it is
committed to resolving these claims in a fair and accountable way. Mediation for the
first of these claims is scheduled for early next year. The second claim will be
considered for mediation after all relevant information has been received.
NEWS 
