Appendix 1 - The Pattern of Conduct
“Facts are stubborn things, and
whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictums of our passions,
they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”
John Adams[1520]
Introduction
1.1
Twelve Suspected Illegal Entry
Vessels (SIEVs) were intercepted by the RAN under the auspices of Operation
Relex.[1521] SIEV 1 arrived on 7 September 2001 and the last illegal entry vessel, SIEV 12, arrived on 16 December 2001.
1.2
SIEVs 5, 7, 11 and 12 were
escorted back to Indonesia. SIEVs 4, 6 and 10 sank at some point during the interception or
tow-back process. Their passengers were rescued, with the loss of two lives on
SIEV 10, and transported in the first instance to Christmas Island.
1.3
Evidence to the Committee
demonstrated a clear pattern of objectionable behaviour practised by those
abroad the Suspected Illegal Entry Vessels. This conduct was calculated to
achieve their objective of reaching Australian territory and also exert ‘moral
blackmail’[1522] upon the defence
force personnel attempting to thwart this objective.
1.4
This pattern of behaviour
included acts and threats of self-harm and aggression, including threats to
children, sabotage of vessels and of equipment, jumping overboard and the
attempted creation of safety of life at sea situations.[1523]
1.5
Examination of this pattern of
conduct was important in the conduct of the Committee’s inquiry. It established
the context or atmosphere in which Operation Relex and the events surrounding
the interception of SIEV 4 were conducted. The Committee heard that even by the
time of the interception of SIEV 4 a pattern of conduct among those on board
SIEVs had emerged. For example, concern was expressed by both military and
civilian participants that those on board SIEV 4 were wearing life jackets. As Ms Halton recalled:
...officials were expecting SIEV 4 unauthorised arrivals to be
more difficult to handle than previous arrivals. The fact that passengers were
wearing life jackets and had made attempts to disable their vessel was
consistent with this.[1524]
1.6
According to the evidence of Rear Admiral Smith:
Numerous instances of
threatened or actual violent actions against Australian Defence Force personnel
occurred, as well as various acts of threatened or actual self harm and the
inciting of violence throughout Operation Relex. Australian Defence
Force personnel had not previously encountered these circumstances during
non-warlike operations. They were extremely hazardous and volatile situations.
What was a law enforcement activity had real potential to rapidly escalate into
a violent situation or just as quickly deteriorate into a major safety or
preservation of life situation or, worse, both.[1525]
1.7
Evidence was also presented to
the Committee that the behaviour exhibited was an organised response by people
smugglers which evolved over time. As Vice Admiral Shackleton put it:
It was our understanding that they were learning from each event
that they interacted or experienced with us and that they were starting to
understand our approach to how we operated. It would not be unreasonable to
expect that they were trying to find ways to counter what we were doing. Hence
we found, in this particular instance, SIEV4 was giving the appearance of being
better prepared and more aggressive than the previous ones that we had dealt
with.[1526]
1.8
This chapter outlines the
emergence of this pattern of behaviour, drawing mainly from written statements
provided by the naval personnel involved in these operations. Evidence is presented in relation to
incidents aboard ten of the twelve SIEVs, with multiple incidents reported for
some boats. SIEV 4 is not addressed in
this Chapter. No evidence is presented
in relation to SIEV 10, which sank with the loss of two lives, as this matter
is under consideration by the Western Australian coroner.
SIEV 1
1.9
The Aceng, which came to be designated as SIEV 1, was intercepted by
the HMAS Warramunga on 7 September 2001 headed towards Ashmore Island. Warnings to the master of the vessel, delivered in English and
Bahasa, not to enter Australian waters proved unsuccessful and the Warramunga inserted a boarding party as
the vessel crossed into the Australian Contiguous Zone. The boarding was to be the first of four.[1527]
1.10
On the first two occasions the
vessel was turned northwards back towards Indonesia,
but reset a course for Ashmore Island once the boarding party was extracted. On the second occasion that the boat was
turned back, the Master indicated that his life would be in jeopardy if he did
not head for Australia.
When the Master realised that again he was heading North towards
Indonesia he
became nervous and after pointing to himself made slashing motions at his neck
and said ‘Indonesia’. The Master continued to plead with me to turn
back to the South or he would be killed.[1528]
1.11
On the third occasion that a
boarding party was put aboard to direct the boat out of Australian waters, the
behaviour of those on board became abusive, with threats of harm to the
boarding party, smashing of windows in the wheelhouse, and objects thrown at
the boarding party personnel.[1529] An assessment was made by the Boarding Office
that medium to high force with possibly lethal force would be required to
secure the Aceng[1530], and the boarding party was
withdrawn to avoid further conflict.
1.12
At first light on 8
September another boarding party embarked
the vessel and all 237 passengers[1531]
were transferred to the HMAS Manoora
without further incident. They were
transported to Nauru for processing.
SIEV 2
1.13
Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel
2, carrying 130 mainly Afghani unauthorised arrivals, was located on or about 9
September 2001[1532] having already
run aground on Ashmore Reef. The
condition of the boat was so poor that those on board were transferred to SIEV
1, which had already been emptied but was anchored a short distance away.
1.14
On 9 September the crew from
the HMAS Gawler, which was at that
time the On Scene Commander, conducted a compliant search of the those now
aboard SIEV 1 and located 15 blades of various sizes, and two ‘improvised
nightsticks’[1533]. A search of baggage brought the total number
of knives recovered to approximately 30.[1534]
1.15
On 10 September, in a
discussion with naval personnel concerning their eventual destination, one of
the English speaking passengers indicated that his people would ‘throw
themselves overboard if they were taken back to Indonesia’.[1535]
Access to an interpreter and a journalist was also requested at this
time, but the passengers were advised that due to the remote location of
Ashmore neither was available.[1536]
1.16
By 12 September a group of 4 or 5 young men had become more agitated and
made an undefined threat of suicide.
They also indicated that they would not accept any more food and water.[1537]
1.17
On 13 September, SIEV 1 and the
refloated SIEV 2 were roped together to relieve cramped conditions on SIEV 1,
and the situation calmed with no more incidents reported. The unauthorised arrivals were embarked
aboard the HMAS Tobruk on 22
September for transport to Nauru.
SIEV 3
1.18
SIEV 3, the 40 metre wooden cargo vessel KM Sumber Bahagia, was intercepted by the HMAS Warramunga north of Australia’s Contiguous Zone on 11 September
2001.[1538] Once again warnings to the vessel not to
enter Australian waters were ignored, and after entering the contiguous zone
the vessel was boarded and returned to international waters. A head count at this time identified 115, all
Iraqi, potential illegal immigrants aboard, including thirty children, and five
Indonesian crew. The boat was later determined to be carrying 129 potential
illegal immigrants in total. [1539]
1.19
On extraction of the boarding
party the SIEV turned south but appeared disoriented, on a course which would
miss Ashmore Island but reach the Australian mainland in about 36 hours. Another Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB)
was dispatched from the Warramunga to
warn the vessel again against entering Australian territory, and advise that
they should be headed north-west. This
approach was greeted with assertions from passengers aboard the SIEV that the
boat was ‘broken’, a charge contradicted by the master. The passengers also advised RHIB that they
would not alter course as they wished to go to Australia.[1540]
At this point a passenger from the SIEV climbed down its side and
attempted to enter the RHIB.
1.20
Some hours later the erratic
course of the SIEV raised concerns about the vessel being lost and the
potential for a safety of life at sea (SOLAS) situation to develop. The Warramunga,
which had been tracking the SIEV from beyond its visual range, then moved
within sight of the boat and dispatched a RHIB with a marked chart which was
provided to the master of the vessel.
While a member of the party aboard the RHIB was explaining to the Master
the course he had to steer, ‘the Master
gestured with his hand his throat being cut indicating that he was not safe’.[1541]
1.21
The SIEV responded to the provision of the chart
by changing course for Ashmore Island, and was boarded. As embarkation of the boarding party
commenced one woman ‘was seen holding a child over the side and threatening to
throw the child over the side’[1542].
The boarding party ‘met with violence from the [potential illegal immigrants]
and thus could not secure the wheelhouse’.[1543]
The boarding party disconnected the steering from the wheelhouse and commence
to steer the boat from the aft on the weatherdeck. Witness statements report the passengers
becoming very aggressive towards the boarding party on noticing the change of
direction.
1.22
As the Executive officer of the
HMAS Warramunga described the
situation
Tension aboard the SIEV continued as the vessel tracked west
with the male PIIs [potential illegal immigrants] becoming very aggressive and
surging as a mass towards the BP [boarding party]. The situation continued to worsen with all
male PIIs [potential illegal immigrants] starting to riot and threaten the BP
[boarding party] as a mass. I assessed that the situation could not be
controlled without the use of high force and possibly lethal force. Having two unarmed BP [boarding party]
members (the doctor and the interpreter) and no sign of the situation
de-escalating without casualties I informed the Commanding Officer that I was
conducting an emergency extraction.[1544]
1.23
Shortly after the boarding
party left, the SIEV made a hard turn towards the Warramunga and the Commander of the navy vessel was forced to use
maximum engine power to avoid a collision.[1545]
1.24
From then on the SIEV ignores
all warnings from the Warramunga that
it was headed for the dangers of Ashmore Reef and refused to follow the navy
vessel to the safety of Ashmore
lagoon. When continuing
negotiations failed, the Commander of the Warramunga
became alarmed at the potential risk to those on board, with 54 children now
known to be amongst the passengers.
There appeared to be no formal hierarchy amongst the PIIs
[potential illegal immigrants] and shouting, confusion, anger and aggression
was the norm. The final demand from them
and the only consistent one in the end was for them to embark the
WARRAMUNGA. At 2151 a SOLAS situation
was imminent. It was dark night with no moon, the reef was 2.5nm ahead. There were 54 children onboard the SIEV with
no lifejackets. At 2218 with the reef only 1nm ahead and impact in 10 minutes I
was standing off with the WARRAMUNGA 1000 yards to the south for my own safety.
In a last attempt to avoid a SOLAS incident and loss of life I agreed to embark
the PIIs [potential illegal immigrants] for the night. The SIEV then turned south, missing the reef
by less than 1 nm.[1546]
1.25
The deliberate creation of a
potential safety of life at sea situation in order to be taken aboard navy
vessels and avoid return to Indonesia has been noted as a common element of the
pattern of behaviour by potential unauthorised boat arrivals thwarted in their
attempts to reach Australian territory by Operation Relex.[1547]
1.26
After embarking the potential
illegal immigrants the Warramunga
escorted SIEV 3 to Ashmore Lagoon, disembarked the passengers back onto the
SIEV the next day, and handed over to the HMAS Geelong. The potential
illegal immigrants were later embarked on the HMAS Tobruk and taken to Nauru.
SIEV 5
1.27
SIEV5 was intercepted in the
vicinity of Ashmore Island on the morning of 12 October 2001. Warnings were passed to the vessel, but it
continued into Australia’s contiguous zone.[1548]
1.28
The SIEV was boarded and
redirected to the north, but on extraction of the boarding party re-entered the
contiguous zone. The vessel was escorted
to the Ashmore Lagoon. The boat, with
about 240 people onboard, remained in custody at the lagoon until 17 October
when it was boarded by a party from the HMAS Warramunga, including an Army Transport Security Element, with the
intention of returning it to Indonesia.
Family groups were transferred to the Warramunga for the voyage to relieve crowding.[1549]
1.29
Difficulty was encountered in
staring the SIEV’s engine as the ignition key and fuel transfer pump had
apparently been thrown overboard,[1550]
later the cooling pump was found to be unserviceable, with sabotage suspected.
1.30
Although the passengers aboard
the vessel remained calm for the
duration of the return voyage, when the vessel was handed back to the
Indonesian Master on 19 October, 19nm from the nearest Indonesian port, the
situation aboard deteriorated.[1551]
1.31
According to evidence tabled by
Rear Admiral Smith
[A] riot ensued with one group storming the engine room of the
SIEV and disabled the engine. Another PII [potential illegal immigrant] lit a
fire up forward and another slashed himself 3 times with a razor blade. Most
aggressive PII [potential illegal immigrant] told the Boarding Officer that
most would kill themselves if they were returned to ID [Indonesia].[1552]
1.32
Some of those previously taken
to the Warramunga had to be forcibly
returned to the SIEV. The boarding party
and transport security element were extracted, and the SIEV was later observed
to be underway and heading into Indonesian Territorial Sea,[1553] indicating that the engine had
been repaired.
SIEV 6
1.33
The HMAS Arunta intercepted SIEV 6 on 19 October north of Christmas Island.
Warnings not to enter Australian territory were issued, and the Indonesian crew
were reported as stating that their lives were under threat if the boat did not
go to Australia.[1554]
1.34
The SIEV entered the Australian
contiguous zone and was boarded without incident. It was escorted to Christmas Island and the
custody of the potential illegal immigrants transferred to the AFP and AQIS.[1555]
1.35
A party from the HMAS Warramunga reboarded the SIEV on 22
October with the intention of returning it to Indonesia. Family groups and some others were embarked
onto the Warramunga to relieve
overcrowding on the SIEV.
1.36
Extensive sabotage of the
SIEV’s engineering plant was discovered, and efforts were made by Warramunga engineers to repair the
boat. Those aboard the SIEV responded
aggressively, starting fires, tearing up deckboards, attempting to kick out
hull planks and ripping the bilge area apart. The situation was serious enough
to cause the Warramunga to go to
action stations in readiness for a potential safety of life at sea situation,
and only resolved when the potential illegal immigrants were shown that they
were being videotaped and told that their actions would not assist their case
with the Australian government. [1556]
1.37
Repairs were effected by 28
October, and the SIEV was underway towards the Indonesian Territorial Sea.
Eleven nautical miles north of Christmas Island problems developed with the
bilge pumps, and a decision was made to transfer the passengers to the Warramunga. The SIEV could not be saved and was scuttled
by the Warramunga on 29 October. The passengers were disembarked on Christmas
Island on 30 October.
SIEV 7
1.38
SIEV 7 was notable as a child
was dropped overboard by a woman aboard.
Those on the vessel also seemed
to be aware of the return of SIEV 5 to Indonesia, the first boat to be so
returned.
1.39
The boat had been intercepted
by the HMAS Bunbury in the vicinity
of Ashmore Island on the morning of 22 October.[1557] When a boarding party approached
the vessel and attempted to give a ‘Notice to Master and Crew’ one man aboard
the SIEV dived overboard. Another is reported to have held up a young girl and
‘threatened to throw this child over the side of the vessel’.[1558] The child appeared to be aged 4-5
years, and had a cast on one arm. She
was noticeably distressed.[1559]
1.40
The SIEV was escorted to anchor
in Ashmore Lagoon, where eight irate passengers created a disturbance and
demanded to know their destination, apparently aware of the return to Indonesia
of SIEV 5. On 24 October a further
incident occurred, with fifteen people jumping into the water.
1.41
Two members of the boarding
party have made sworn statements that a small child was held over the side by a
woman passenger, then dropped into the water.
The child was recovered by one of the male passengers already in the
water, who bought the child back to the SIEV.[1560]
All of those who entered the water were safely returned to the SIEV.
1.42
On 28 October HMAS Arunta arrived in Ashmore Lagoon and
took control of the SIEV in preparation for its escort back to Indonesian
waters.[1561] Around ninety passengers
from the SIEV were embarked on the Arunta
to make room for the steaming party and the Transport Security Element, and the
voyage was calm until the passengers were advised that they were to be returned
to Indonesia.
1.43
At this point:
Threats of self-harm and deliberate damage to the SIEV were made
and attempted. Incidents included
threats to jump overboard, threats to throw a child overboard, PIIs [potential
illegal immigrants] actually jumping into the water, dousing themselves with
fuel, damage to guy wires of SIEV mast, damage to railings, staring a fire in
the hold, and splashing of fuel on deck. PIIs [potential illegal immigrants]
broke through the SIEV’s engineering space bulkhead but were repelled by the
TSE [Transport Security Element] using pepper spray.[1562]
1.44
After extraction of the
boarding party SIEV 7 followed the Arunta
for a period, then headed towards the Indonesian territorial sea.
SIEV 8
1.45
SIEV 8 was a boat of Vietnamese origin carrying 31
potential illegal immigrants, initially detected by a Coastwatch aircraft to
the north-west of the Tiwi island group on 27 October 2001. HMAS Wollongong
intercepted the vessel.[1563]
1.46
Initial boarding was
uneventful, although the passengers became uncooperative when advised that they
were to be escorted to Ashmore Island.
1.47
According to the Commanding
Officer of the Wollongong
At approximately 1415, the [unauthorised arrivals] began staging
passive protest by de-rigging their awning in the heat of the afternoon sun,
sitting on the awning with children and refusing to allow holding party to
re-rig the awning. Steaming party reported to me that [unauthorised arrivals]
had become angry, were ripping clothes, shouting at the steaming party and
gesticulating in a threatening manner.[1564]
1.48
The boarding party was able to
determine that the agitation on the part of the passengers was caused by their
belief that Ashmore was an Indonesian Island.
Repeated assurances that it was Australian territory calmed the
situation.
SIEV 9
1.49
SIEV 9, a 30-35 metre vessel of ferry-like
appearance, was detected four miles inside the Australian Territorial Sea in
the vicinity of Ashmore Island on 31 October, and issued a warning by HMAS Bunbury.[1565]
1.50
The Bunbury boarded the SIEV shortly afterwards, and determined that
the fuel lines had recently been cut. A boarding party from the Arunta relieved the Bunbury, but was
unsuccessful in repairing the engine.
1.51
On the morning of 31 October, a
riot occurred during which the passengers attempted to kick out the sideboard
panels of the vessel. At the same time, a man was observed leaning over the
port guard rail with his arms extended holding an infant over the side of the
vessel, apparently threatening to drop the child overboard.[1566] The transport security element
intervened and child was bought safely back onboard.
1.52
This was to be the first of
several incidents upon SIEV 9 reported to involve threats to children, although
witness statements in relation to the various incidents are not always
consistent as to the details of the events, as might be expected in the
circumstances.
1.53
In the second of the reported
incidents, later on 31 October, the same man who had earlier threatened to
throw a child overboard was observed to be roughly holding a small infant,
apparently threatening to throw it overboard and in a struggle with a woman who
also had hold of part of the child.[1567]
Some witnesses report that the man held the child over the side of the SIEV
before being restrained.[1568]
1.54
At the same time as the second
incident, a report was made of an attempted strangulation of a child,[1569] although a witness to this event
described it as a ‘family domestic incident’, as a father prevented his
daughter from joining in a riot by grabbing her near the throat region, pushing
her to the ground and making her sit down.[1570]
1.55
On 1 November, a riot broke out
on the SIEV when an attempt was made to take it under tow. Five men jumped
overboard, while a woman attempted to throw her young infant overboard, but was
restrained.[1571]
1.56
In the final incident involving
children, a passenger is reported to have threatened to throw a child overboard
if not permitted to cook his own food.[1572]
1.57
Other incidents abroad SIEV 9
included a hunger strike, threats to boarding party members, and self
harm. However it is the frequency and
severity of incidents involving children which is notable in regard to this
vessel. As summed up by the Commander of
the Army contingent aboard SIEV 9 during
its transit phase,
During the riots, self harm and threats to children became
common place and were not seen to be out of the ordinary, almost a ‘modus
operandi’.[1573]
1.58
SIEV 9 was eventually towed to
Ashmore Lagoon. Once those aboard realised that the vessel would not be
returned to Indonesia, ‘the level of tension and belligerence decreased
significantly’.[1574] The unauthorised arrivals were transferred to
HMAS Tobruk on 9 November, and
transported to Christmas Island.
SIEV 11
1.59
SIEV 11 was an 18 metre long
shark boat with a crew of four Indonesians and carrying 18 potential illegal
immigrants including fifteen adults, two teenagers and a baby[1575].
1.60
The initial boarding by HMAS Leeuwin on 1 December was uneventful. The boat was taken in tow by HMAS Wollongong towards Ashmore Island while
engine and steering defects were repaired, then commenced passage towards
Indonesian waters. By 13 December the passengers had become agitated, asking
for UN representation and expressing concern about returning to Indonesia. Some
threatened self harm or to jump overboard,[1576]
but the boat was released without further incident off the Indonesian coast.
SIEV 12
1.61
SIEV 12 was intercepted by HMAS Leeuwin 30nm north-west of Ashmore Island on December 16, and boarded before
sunrise on December 17.[1577]
1.62
The boarding initially
proceeded calmly, before a group of young men started ‘yelling and screaming
and inciting others to resist us’.[1578]
According to one of the boarding party,
I saw several of the young males destroy the boom that was being
used as a support for a tarpaulin on the foredeck of the SIEV. They then proceeded to tear apart the
tarpaulin and they attempted to throw part of it over the side. I saw one of
the [unauthorised arrivals] threaten two members of the boarding team with a
piece of this boom. At the same time I saw flames coming from the fore part of
the vessel. The ship’s boarding party
quickly extinguished the fire. I then saw several [unauthorised arrivals]
dropping paper, cardboard and other items into the forward hold and noted they
were attempting to ignite these items. I also saw several [unauthorised
arrivals] freely jumping over the side of the SIEV whilst wearing lifejackets.[1579]
1.63
Incidents upon the SIEV 12
during its escort back to Indonesian territorial waters included a report of
children held over the side, two incidences of self harm, two occasions of
sabotage of the vessel, lighting of fires on three occasions, and four
incidences of jumping overboard.[1580]
1.64
The vessel was successfully
repaired and released near Indonesia on 20 December 2001.