The mauling of two soldiers by a crocodile in far north Queensland has left the Australian Defence Force facing court on charges of inadequate training and workplace safety failures.
The Department of Defence was charged on Aug. 11 with breaching federal work health and safety laws and could be slapped with a $1.5 million (US$0.98 million) fine.
The soldiers were attacked by a 2.5 metre crocodile while transporting a landing craft from Darwin to Townsville for maintenance in August 2021.
The Darwin-based Army personnel, 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 an inflatable defence Zodiac, the federal workers’ compensation body and safety regulator Comcare said on Aug. 11.
The coastal fishing village is about 750km north of Cairns and is known for its croc-infested waters.
“After anchoring the boat, the men went swimming and were almost immediately attacked by a 2.5m 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 Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has since charged the Department of Defence for failing in its duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
It is alleged Defence failed to provide a safe workplace or properly train its workers by implementing policies prohibiting personnel from entering crocodile-infested waters unless there was an operational or safety reason to do so.
It is 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.
The Defence Department said it would not make further comments while the matter was before the courts.
“The safety of our people is paramount in all activities and critical to our mission of defending Australia and its national interests,” a spokesperson said.
The matter will be heard in Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 15.
