ABC News - QLD Regional Matters
Last Update: Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Governments not impressed with Lockhart River outcome
The federal Transport Minister Mark Vaile says he is disappointed legal action cannot be taken against the airline involved in the Lockhart River air disaster.
Transair allegedly failed to report 25 safety incidents before one of its planes crashed on Cape York in 2005 killing 15 people.
But the airline cannot be prosecuted because the alleged incidents occurred more than a year ago.
Mr Vaile says the 12 month statute of limitation appears to be too short a time to take legal action.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie agrees and has told State Parliament he has asked Queensland's Attorney-General to write to his federal counterpart.
"A 12 month statute of limitation is clearly not practical when it is the Commonwealth's own investigation practices that took that time," Mr Beattie said.
"I mean the investigation took so long so how can you possibly have a 12 month statute of limitation?"
A spokesman for Mr Vaile says the Minister is waiting for departmental advice before deciding whether the Transport Safety Investigation Act should be amended.