Ministerial Statement

GLADSTONE EXPLOSION

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Finance, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:07): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT: On 9 May 2006, a major explosion occurred at Quin Investments Pty Ltd, an explosives factory located at Beetaloo Valley, near Gladstone. Three workers at the factory were killed and two were injured. On the day of the incident and in the days immediately following, the site was the subject of an emergency response involving SA Police, CFS, SES, SA Ambulance Service and SafeWork SA. At the conclusion of recovery activities undertaken by the emergency response team, control of the site was passed to SafeWork SA to investigate possible causes of the explosion.

The scale of devastation at the scene meant that the investigation was going to be challenging and require expert analysis. Reproducing the sequence of events that may have led to the explosion has been a meticulous and time-consuming process, involving the examination of more than 2,000 items of debris, including parts, machinery and chemical residue. The unique nature of explosive production activity demanded the involvement of forensic experts in metallurgy and chemical products.

SafeWork SA engaged national and international experts to provide specialist assessment of the processes and activities that may have contributed to this tragic event. Of particular note was the involvement of Professor John Price from Monash University and specialists from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom.

The investigation has determined that there were potentially serious breaches of the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986. Of particular concern to the investigators was the attention given to the maintenance and repair of critical items of plant in the factory. In light of these concerns, SafeWork SA has now referred the matter to the courts.

Yesterday, SafeWork SA filed charges in the Magistrates Court alleging that Quin Investments, as the company in control of the manufacturing process, has failed to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the safety of workers at the factory. Charges have also been laid against the company's responsible officer, Mr Nikolai Kuzub.

In coming months, the court will be asked to make a determination in relation to the alleged breaches of the workplace safety legislation. It is entirely appropriate that in a serious matter such as this that the court is presented with the facts and then has an opportunity to deliberate on the circumstances which led to and caused this tragic event. In due course, the public will be presented with the court's findings, particularly as they relate to the causes of this incident.

In light of the judicial processes now under way, it is not appropriate to comment on specific issues or to speculate on potential outcomes. A key endeavour in this process is to identify those factors which contributed to the explosion. This will afford some certainty and closure to the people involved. It is imperative at these times not to lose sight of the human impact of traumatic incidents in the workplace.

Our thoughts remain with the families of those who lost loved ones or suffered an injury because of the explosion at Gladstone. Our efforts are directed at bringing some closure to the families involved, and we will continue to provide them with support and assistance as this matter moves to its next stage. I ask that all involved afford the family members affected by this tragedy with the respect and dignity they deserve.