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The Callinan Inquiry
The Honourable Ian Callinan AC Leading the Commission of Inquiry into the Equine Influenza outbreak Photograph:Sydney Morning Herald |
The Commission of Inquiry into the cause of the Equine Influenza outbreak is underway.
Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran MP has appointed the Honourable Ian Callinan AC to conduct a Commission of Inquiry and report before 25 April 2008 with respect to:
(a) the circumstances that have contributed to the outbreak of equine influenza in Australia and
(b) the need for any strengthened biosecurity procedures for quarantine management of imported horses.
All persons who can assist in this inquiry are asked to come forward. These would particularly be people who have in the last couple of years been involved with the import of horses through the Eastern Creek Quarantine Station and have had first-hand experience with procedures followed there and possibly at Sydney Airport.
Please download a PDF file. You should also visit the Inquiry's web site for all relevant details, including the financial assistance scheme that has been created to help persons involved in the inquiry with their legal costs and other expenses.
The terms of the inquiry are very narrow. They are about procedures and protocols that were in place or should have been. The inquiry is not about the consequences of the outbreak, its impact on our industry and the consequences of a total vaccination program if eradication is not successful.
Once again, we urge members who have had recent dealings with the Eastern Creek Quarantine Centre or with their horses' arrival at Sydney Airport to come forward with evidence that may help prevent the industry being charged for 80 per cent the cost of the management of the outbreak and of the containment and eradication effort.
When the inquiry publishes its results and AQIS is found to be at fault, we will do everything in our power to make sure that our industry does not have to pay for the cost of the outbreak and receives compensation for the losses it has made.
