Commanding Officer Remains On Duty

Department of Defence Media Mail List

MSPA 027/10 Saturday, 30 January 2010

Commanding Officer Remains On Duty

The Commanding Officer of the Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS Childers at the time of the SIEV 36 incident remains on duty and was never relieved of his position in command.

Some media reporting has today claimed that Lieutenant Commander Brett Westcott was stood down after comments he reportedly made regarding the handling of SIEV 36. The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane, said he is at a loss to explain how these reports could have got it so wrong.

“Lieutenant Commander Westcott remains in command of his Patrol Boat crew and has been undertaking Border Protection duties as per normal tasking,” Vice Admiral Crane said.

“He remains a highly valued member of our Navy family and will continue in sea-going command for the duration of his current posting.”

Newspapers carrying this story never contacted Navy or Defence to confirm the facts. Chief of Navy said Lieutenant Commander Westcott was disappointed and very upset by the article and was owed an immediate apology from those responsible.

“This is one of the worst cases of inaccurate reporting I have seen in some time,” Vice Admiral Crane said.

Defence has cooperated fully with the Northern Territory Coroner and the preceding Northern Territory Police investigation, and respects the independence and transparency of the Coronial Inquest process.

“While I will not be commenting on the SIEV 36 coronial inquest at this time, I have great faith in the Northern Territory Coroner and I have great faith in my people,” Vice Admiral Crane said.

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