Queensland Senator, Russell Trood, has welcomed the long-overdue apology by the Department of Immigration’s to the families of the five people who drowned when their immigration boat, the Malu Sara, sank in the Torres Strait.

 

At a Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra yesterday, Senator Trood condemned the head of the Immigration Department, Andrew Metcalfe for taking four years to make the apology. Although the Department had expressed its regret over the deaths in the past, yesterday was the first time it had used the word ‘sorry’.

 

“I welcome the Department’s apology, and recognise Mr. Metcalfe’s sincerity. However, I fear that for the families and friends of the victims, four years has been too long a wait. They have deserved full public recognition of their loss and of the senseless and preventable nature of the tragedy that occurred.”

 

Senator Trood expressed deep concern about the fact that no charges have been laid over the deaths, despite the fact that a damning coroner’s report found a number of State and Federal agencies to have been negligent in performing their duties.

 

 Mr. Metcalfe stated on public record that a potential outcome of a recent Departmental Inquiry is that legal action may be taken against Garry Chaston, the former Immigration Department officer in charge on Thursday Island at the time of the tragedy.

 

Senator Trood also raised questions about compensation for the families of the victims, and said he was reassured to learn that the Department was committed to achieving speedy and satisfactory resolution.

 

As a result of Senator Trood’s questioning, Mr. Metcalfe also revealed that the Department would elect not to use the statute of limitations defence if any other families sought financial recourse.

 

“I am encouraged by the Department’s public remorse and believe we can be hopeful that the Mr. Metcalfe is fully committed to support and recognise the sorrow suffered by the families of the victims of this preventable tragedy,” Senator Trood said.