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Croc attacks soldiers, now Defence must defend itself from jaws of law
By Cheryl Goodenough
The Department of Defence has been handed a 7000-page brief of evidence after being taken to court over two soldiers being mauled in a crocodile attack.
It will be required to enter a plea in three months after being charged last month with breaching federal work health and safety laws after the men were attacked by a 2.5-metre crocodile in far north Queensland.
The fishing village where the soldiers were attacked is known for its crocodile-infested waters.Credit: Paul Rovere
During a mention in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday, the department’s lawyer, Jackson Inglis, said a 7000-page brief was received last week.
The army was ordered to make submissions by November 10, with prosecutors to reply by December 8.
The matter will be mentioned again on December 15, with Defence to enter a plea that day.
The Darwin-based army personnel were transporting a landing craft from Darwin to Townsville for maintenance in August 2021.
A private in his 20s and a corporal in his early 30s were given permission to go fishing at the Cape York Peninsula community of Portland Road in a Defence inflatable Zodiac, the federal workers’ compensation body and safety regulator Comcare said earlier.
The coastal fishing village is about 750 kilometres north of Cairns and known for its crocodile-infested waters.
“After anchoring the boat, the men went swimming and were almost immediately attacked by a 2.5-metre saltwater crocodile,” Comcare said.
“The crocodile dragged one of the soldiers underwater and mauled him while his colleague fought off the animal, allowing the men to escape to the Zodiac.”
Both soldiers suffered significant injuries, including bite and claw wounds, and were airlifted to Cairns hospital.
The Department of Defence was charged under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 with failing to provide a safe workplace or properly training its workers by implementing policies prohibiting personnel from entering crocodile-infested waters unless there was an operational or safety reason to do so.
It was further alleged Defence failed to conduct a risk assessment or provide a detailed safety briefing about the risk of crocodile attack when entering water.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of $1.5 million.
– AAP