Daily Stormer
June 17, 2014
Seriously, this is happening.
I’m not joking.
ABC:
Fifty Iranian and Iraqi asylum seekers died when huge seas drove their boat, known as SIEV 221, into Christmas Island’s cliffs in December 2010.
Lawyer George Newhouse yesterday launched legal action in the New South Wales Supreme Court on behalf of eight families, arguing Australia was responsible and the Commonwealth breached its duty of care.
Mr Newhouse represented survivors at the 2012 inquest, saying at the time that government policies were putting lives at risk.
Mr Newhouse will argue the Commonwealth knew or should have known that there were vulnerable men and women on the high seas that night.
He says the Government has failed in its duty of care by failing to keep its rescue vessels seaworthy.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has defended the actions of the Government, saying the claim “beggars belief”.
“Frankly, I think this is a shameful and offensive claim to be making. Sure, people have the right to bring cases to court – we are a free country – but they have to be accountable for the claims,” he said.
Aboard the boat known as SIEV 221 (Suspected Irregular Entry Vessel 221) on December 15, 2010, were 89 Iranian and Iraqi asylum seekers and three crew.
In the monsoon weather, the vessel escaped detection and it was residents on the island watching the tragedy unfold who raised the alarm.