Fed: Qld govt asks Ruddock to overturn lack of Transair charges

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2007
Fed: Qld govt asks Ruddock to overturn lack of Transair charges

By Roberta Mancuso

BRISBANE, April 18 AAP - The Queensland government has written to federal Attorney-General
Philip Ruddock asking him to overturn a decision not to charge the airline behind one
of Australia's worst aviation disasters.

No charges can be laid against Transair over the 2005 Lockhart River air disaster,
which killed 15 people, because it is too late to take legal action.

A 12-month statute of limitations means the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions
cannot take action against Transair.

That is despite the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) earlier this month finding
a careless pilot and poor maintenance were the chief reasons behind the crash.

Mr Beattie told the Queensland parliament today the families of those killed "deserved
better and they deserve justice".

"Despite the ATSB investigation finding that Transair failed to report 25 safety incidents
in the two years leading up to the crash, and pilot error and poor maintenance to blame
for this tragedy, no action will be taken against the airline due to a 12-month statute
of limitations that's expired," Mr Beattie said.

"I understand the statute of limitations ... I think that's not a bad principle - but
(only) 12 months?"

He said Queensland's Attorney-General Kerry Shine had yesterday written to Mr Ruddock
questioning how the decision was allowed to occur and what could be done to overturn it.

"The investigation has taken so long, so how can you possibly have a 12-month statute
of limitations?" Mr Beattie said.

"The federal government should address this issue immediately.

"To not do so will compound the injustice to the families of the Lockhart River crash."

Everyone aboard the Transair Metroliner died when it crashed and exploded in flames
near the Lockhart River Aboriginal community in Cape York, in far north Queensland.

AAP rm/pjo/cjh/bwl

KEYWORD: LOCKHART

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