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Additional Comments
Senator Crossin
1.1
While I agree with the conclusions reached in the committee report, I
would like to make some additional comments in relation to two matters. These
are the adequacy of radio communications on the island, and the need for a
Community Emergency Management Officer.
Radio communications
1.2
The committee report identified the availability and use of radios, and
in particular an inadequate number of handsets and knowledge of procedure, as
being issues that impeded effective and efficient communication between
agencies on the morning of the tragedy. The committee noted the report provided
by Mr Brian Lacy, the Christmas Island Administrator, which recommended better
definition and training in relation to radio frequencies and their use, and
suggested (among other things) provision of a marine radio at each agency with
a dedicated listening officer, and also handheld marine radios to enhance
mobility of officers while at the same time keeping them well informed. At the
committee's hearing, Mr Lacy also submitted that:
There are black spots around the island with the radios, and
that is another matter being investigated at the moment, with the equipment we
might need to be able to switch also from UHF to VHF and overcome the problems
of black spots with other infrastructure on the island...and we are dealing
with Customs and police in trying to get equipment that is common to all
agencies on the island and that will provide the relevant frequencies for
people to work within their own agency and across agencies... We need some
additional infrastructure to overcome the problem of black spots on the island.
We need an approach to equipment that is coordinated for all of the agencies on
the island so there are not any disruptions to services because of the way we
use the frequencies or because of the type of equipment used. That is, as I
said, being reviewed at the present time. There were some AFP people on the
island recently looking into it, Customs were conducting a review and Regional Australia
is also looking at a communications strategy for the island. I in fact asked
the director of the Indian Ocean Territories Administration on Christmas Island
to see if we could get a communication strategy developed for the island. That
has been passed back to Canberra and is being undertaken by a consultant,
engaged by the Territories Division, at the present time.[1]
1.3
The Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local
Government submitted details of the implementation of Mr Lacy's recommendations,
including the procurement of handheld radios.[2]
However, the committee has received limited information concerning the
communications strategy Mr Lacy spoke of, and in particular, whether progress
is being made to address black spots in radio coverage. While I welcome the
additional radios and other improvements agreed to by the Department, the
effectiveness of the radios (in particular) hinges on reliable reception being
available on all parts of the island, and eliminating black spots should be a
priority.
Recommendation
That, in addition to the implementation of the recommendations of
the Emergency Management Committee in its January 2011 report, the Department
of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government take all necessary
steps to ensure reliable radio coverage is available on all parts of Christmas
Island before the end of 2011.
Community Emergency Management Officer
1.4
The committee report rightly commends the community of Christmas Island
for its response to the tragedy, and in particular lauds the efforts of
volunteers on whom the community relies for so much. While the work of the
volunteers is clearly based on a love of their community, I am mindful of the
fact that almost all have other commitments, not least of all paid employment
on which they rely for their survival. It is important not to place an
over-reliance on these generous, community-minded people, and to support them
where necessary. This sentiment was most poignantly expressed by Mr Chris Su,
who submitted that:
Inadvertently Canberra is asking the CI community to do a lot
of things. When they house, at one point, 3,000 asylum seekers on Christmas
Island they have to rely on our volunteer firefighting service, our volunteer
ambulance drivers and our volunteer marine rescue. We are staffed by
volunteers. We all go out to the centre every time if somebody calls for an
ambulance. We will go out every time when somebody calls for a fire truck and
assistance. But for us to help Canberra look after the people they want us to
look after, they need to give us more things to help do the job, even on a
voluntary level. We have had more than 200 boats come in, and they know that
the CI cliff face is very sharp and very steep. Without them giving us the
things to help people with, it is not very fair for us...If [the tragedy] had
happened one week later, most of the residents on that part of the island would
have been gone and there may not have been anywhere near as much help. If
people in Canberra are asking us to help look after their people, if they give
us the best equipment to do that, that will be for that best, because the
island people will never say no.[3]
1.5
The committee also heard from Mr Lacy that:
I still believe that we really do need a full-time community
emergency management officer because, as you have identified, everybody here is
a volunteer–or most people are volunteers–and they all have other jobs. Some
people have two jobs, and it is pretty difficult to concentrate or devote the
time that is really needed to make sure that everybody is properly trained and
that the community are properly informed, and things of that nature.[4]
1.6
The Shire President, Mr Gordon Thomson, submitted that:
...I think that there may be an issue of our extreme
isolation, so if things could be better prepared or better organised, given
that backup is a long way away, it may be something that would be very
worthwhile looking at. We are not on the mainland, you know. We are half an
hour away from significant support if we need it, so perhaps there is something
in the suggestion that there should be someone.[5]
1.7
I consider that a full-time Community Emergency Management Officer is
warranted to service both Christmas and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The
officer would provide training, develop procedures, coordinate volunteer
efforts, oversee the maintenance of equipment, and act as a key point of
contact (together with the Australian Federal Police Officer-in-Charge) in
emergency situations.
Recommendation
That the Department of Regional Australia immediately establish a
full-time Community Emergency Management Officer on Christmas Island, to serve
both Christmas and the Cocos Islands.
Senator Trish Crossin
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