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Mark McGowan says ‘errors all round’ in Al Kuwait ship fight with Federal government over COVID-19 positive crew

Peter de Kruijff and Josh ZimmermanThe West Australian
VideoWA Premier Mark McGowan says communication must be improved between state and federal bodies after crew aboard the Al Kuwait tested positive for coronavirus once it had docked in Fremantle.

A conciliatory Mark McGowan has admitted he did not have the “full picture” when he blasted the Federal Government yesterday over the handling of a sheep export ship with COVID-19 infected crew members stuck in Fremantle.

The Premier said he would not apologise, however, as he stated there had been errors all-round and both governments needed to work together going forward.

It comes as Mr McGowan said the Al Kuwait ship could be deep-cleaned and steered out of WA with an entirely new and healthy crew to get 56,000 sheep on their way to the Middle East.

Mr McGowan is trying to put his early bluster on the situation behind him as WA Health Director of Communicable Disease Control Paul Armstrong confirmed the Federal Agriculture Department had followed processes set out by the State.

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Dr Armstrong said it had noted an email, outlining three crew members had reported a fever, sent on Friday by Federal officials but there had not been a high enough risk for the Department of Health to act earlier than Sunday when it came to the Al Kuwait.

“The information came on Sunday night, so it took that period of time on Monday to work out what was going on and the appropriate action was taken,” he said.

The health official said given no-one was going to come off the ship, the risk to public health had been low but the department jumped into action once it had a greater idea of the situation on the Al Kuwait on Sunday.

Opposition Leader Liza Harvey accused Mr McGowan of inciting fear in the community through an “unnecessary stunt” that had “backfired spectacularly”.

“The Premier needs to go out to the community of Western Australia and to the Parliament and to Minister Littleproud and give an unreserved apology,” Mrs Harvey said.

She said it was clear from the outset the infected crew posed no danger to Western Australians and that port and health authorities that boarded the Al Kuwait had worn personal protective equipment and complied with all the relevant protocols.

“We had a managed situation, the community was never at risk and it’s disgraceful that the Premier would whip up that fear and alarm in people who are already, many, fearful of leaving their homes,” she said.

“I believe he's misled the community because he's wanted to create fear and panic so that he can keep controlling people and keep the (interstate) borders closed.”

Mr McGowan said the State Government had done everything it could to provide transparent information during the pandemic but in relation to the handling of the ship “there have clearly been some errors made all round”.

“Unfortunately, yesterday I wasn’t provided with some information which meant the full picture was not clear,” he said.

“Clearly yesterday I did not have the information I have now.”

The ship arrived on Friday morning but it was not until 5pm on Monday that a WA Department of Health team boarded the vessel to swab seven crew for coronavirus.

A bus, police vehicles and ambulances alongside a ship docked at Fremantle.
Camera IconA bus, police vehicles and ambulances alongside a ship docked at Fremantle. Credit: Danella Bevis/The West Australian

Mr McGowan said he was disappointed an email from the Federal Agriculture Department to the WA Public Health Emergency Operations Centre did not raise red flags inside the Department of Health.

“It’s important to note here the same email said there were no concerns for COVID-19 on the ship,” he said.

“There was also no requests for assistance at that time.

“As part of my conversation with Minister (David) Littleproud we are working collaboratively on a solution for this ship, that may include flying in a new crew subject to strict quarantine.”

Mr McGowan said communication between the two levels of government around future ships coming into WA with similar health concerns needed to be spoken about over the phone and not just through emails.

The Premier said it would work constructively with the Federal Government to “prevent any mistakes from happening again”.

Six crew members were taken off the ship yesterday to hotels and there are 42 people still on board.

Further testing will take place and more seafarers could soon be taken off with just 15 to remaining on the ship as a skeleton crew.

Seven people from the WA community have had contact with the ship and two of that cohort are regarded as close contacts including the pilot who brought Al Kuwait into port.

Minister for Health Roger Cook said he wanted to see tighter communication protocols in the future.

There were no COVID-19 cases confirmed overnight.

Mr Cook announced today elective surgery would go back to 75 per cent of normal levels from June 2 and as much as 100 per cent from June 15.

A two-week asymptomatic testing regime will start tomorrow which will invite health care workers, police, meat works staff, retail employees and hospitality workers to get tested even if they are not displaying any symptoms of COVID-19.

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