Department of Defence in strife over croc attack

THE Department of Defence has been charged over an incident in which two Army members were attacked by a crocodile on the east coast of Cape York in 2021.

The pair were swimming near Portland Roads, when they were attacked.

One of the soldiers suffered broken bones and other upper body injuries when he was mauled in the water. The second soldier had his arm ripped open when he tried to help.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions alleges

Defence failed in its duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011

In a statement, national work health and safety and workers’ compensation authority Comcare said the charge had been brought after an investigation by the regulator.

“The soldiers were transporting a landing craft from Darwin to Townsville for maintenance,” Comcare said.

“The Darwin-based Army members, a private and a corporal, were given permission to go fishing in a Zodiac at Portland Road. 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 under water and mauled him. His colleague fought off the animal and the men were able to escape to the Zodiac.

It is alleged Defence failed to train workers and to provide and maintain a safe system of work, including implementing policies

A LAURA P-plater will appear in the Cooktown Magistrates Court next month after he was allegedly caught drink driving and driving without a licence.

prohibiting workers from entering crocodile-inhabited waters unless there was an operational or safety reason.

It is also alleged that Defence failed to conduct risk assessments and failed to provide a detailed safety briefing about the risk of a crocodile attack.

The charge against Defence is a category 2 offence that carries a maximum penalty of a $1.5 million fine.

The matter is listed for mention in the Brisbane Magistrates Court in September.