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The head of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has repeated saying “sorry” about the Malu Sara.
Andrew Metcalfe, Secretary of DIAC, told the Senate Estimates Committee hearing in Canberra last Tuesday that he would like to again acknowledge the department’s deep sadness at the loss of life and to record the department’s condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who are lost, and also to the wider Torres Strait communities.
“The department is deeply sorry that the tragic sequence of events as described by the Coroner occurred, and for the losses suffered by all those affected by this avoidable tragedy.”
Ms Laura Neill (Maurice Blackburn Lawyers) told the Torres News: “It would have been better if he had told the families personally with a telephone call or a personal letter, rather than the manner in which he has done it.
“The families would have far more grateful and it would have shown he was genuine about it.
“It just shouldn’t filter down through the Torres News in the first place followed by the Senate hearings last week.
“It would have been so much more-meaningful to have done it personally to the families, rather than looking like a PR (public relations) stunt.”
Mr Metcalfe said at the hearings: “The department has since made changes and improvements to its procedures to ensure that such a tragedy could never occur again, and that the welfare and well-being of staff will always be a paramount objective in our operations.”
Mr Metcalfe said “Sorry” for the first time in a meeting with Torres News Editor Mark Bousen on the fourth anniversary of the sinking of the Malu Sara which claimed five lives.
Federal Minister Chris Evans told the Senate Estimates Hearing that, on behalf of the government, he would also like to reinforce the remarks that Mr Metcalfe made.
“We obviously express our great sorrow to the families of those who lost loved ones in this tragedy. While it is a few years ago now, the pain is still very real for those people, and I think the processes that have played out have at least helped to explain in some way what occurred.
“But we do extend our deep sympathies to those families and friends of those who died. As Mr Metcalfe indicated, two of them were officers of the department.
“I had the advantage of visiting the Torres Strait last year and seeing the work Indigenous officers do in the Torres Strait,” Senator Evans said.
“It is a remarkable model of what can be done in a very different way to traditional immigration service delivery, and I would back our officers there against the best of the AFP, ASIO, FBI and CIA in terms of knowing what is going on in the Torres Strait.”
Mr Metcalfe told the Hearing he had joined DIAC staff in the Torres Strait for a private memorial service to mark the fourth anniversary of the Malu Sara tragedy.
“We will, in consultation with our staff and the families, continue to explore ways to honour and remember those who died: Ted Harry, Wilfred Baira, Valerie Saub, Flora Enosa and Ethena Enosa.
“To be honest, while I have been aware of the continuing distress amongst the family, the co-workers and the broader Torres Strait community, it was really only till I went there (a fortnight ago) - when I went there for the memorial service - that I became aware through conversations with people that there is anger amongst some people, and a view that while several of the authorities who had been involved that no one had actually formally registered their sorrow including my Department.
“I thought it was therefore appropriate I did that in the best way. I was able to do both in the interview with the Torres News and I thought it was very appropriate before this committee today.”
Minister Chris Evans said: “We have badly let these people down as a Department.”
Senator Russell Trood said he gave credit to Mr Metcalfe and Minister Chris Evans for being frank with the Hearing.
“It was a good night for the people and families of those involved in this dreadful tragedy.
“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.
“I was also pleased to hear Minister Evans say the Department had a moral obligation to the people, and undertook to ensure that obligation was met as quickly as possible.
“Both the Minister and Secretary gave those undertakings about the treatment of the claims being made.
“After many years of truancy, they have done what they should have done long ago,” said Senator Trood. tragedy, but the legal firm, representing two families taking legal action against the department, says it could be a “PR stunt”.
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