No plan and no-one in charge of oil spill clean up

Two reports into Pacific Adventurer oil spill have shown that there was no plan and no-one in charge of the clean up.

LNP Shadow Transport Minister Fiona Simpson said the reports were a damning indictment of the Bligh Labor Government’s response and preparedness for such an environmental disaster.

“What is clear from these reports is that the Bligh Labor Government was not prepared for an oil spill of this magnitude,” Ms Simpson said.

 “While Maritime Safety Queensland had the knowledge and expertise to respond to the oil spill it couldn’t manage the clean up alone.

 “It is shocking that it took eight days for a clean-up plan to be formed, and another four days for it to be implemented, while the oil spill did more damage to a larger area.”

 Ms Simpson said the Premier’s disaster declaration actually made the departmental confusion worse.

 “The Premier gave every impression that her department had taken control of the clean up after the disaster declaration, but Ms Bligh failed to formally activate the declaration.

 “As a result, some believed Marine Safety Queensland no longer retained command and control of the clean up resulting in further delays and confusion.”