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Comcare investigates Cultana soldiers' death and injury

Media release

- 21 Oct 2009

The federal workplace safety regulator Comcare has launched an investigation into the death of a soldier, and the injury of another, in a ‘live-fire’ exercise at the Cultana Military Base in South Australia overnight.

Speaking about the investigation in a Senate Estimates hearing this morning, Comcare CEO Paul O’Connor extended condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the dead and injured soldiers.

Mr O’Connor said that, consistent with federal occupational health and safety laws, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) notified Comcare of the incident in the early hours of this morning.

“Comcare has a responsibility as the federal safety regulator to enforce workplace safety for all employees in our jurisdiction, including members of the ADF.”

“We have launched an immediate investigation, and Comcare investigators are on the scene at the Cultana Military Base in South Australia.”

During the course of its investigation, Comcare will work collaboratively with the South Australian police and the ADF.

Under federal workplace safety law, Comcare has the power to inquire into fatalities, injuries and dangerous incidents.

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Media inquiries:
Ph: 1300 366 979
Email: media@comcare.gov.au

Media release - Comcare investigates Cultana soldiers' death and injury [pdf version]