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BOI into death of captain |
| A NEW Board of Inquiry is examing the circumstances surrounding the death of Capt Paul Lawton. Capt Lawton, a member of DMO’s Abrams project team, fell ill and died on August 31, 2006, while escorting the initial Abrams tanks from the US to Melbourne. CDF ACM Angus Houston appointed Christopher Lee, a retired South Australian District Court Judge, to be the President of the BOI. The Board also includes Lt-Col Nicholas Masotti, an experienced nursing officer with a critical care and emergency care background, with 20 years’ service in the Army. Hearings began at Defence Plaza, Melbourne, on May 10. The Board is conducting its hearings of witnesses in public, except for those elements that would involve the disclosure of classified information or otherwise in accordance with directions issued by the Board President. This is the second BOI into Capt Lawton’s death. CDF dissolved the first BOI on February 13 in response to legal proceedings in the Federal Court that had the potential to delay the BOI process by many months. Defence is now focused on the new BOI so that the matter can be concluded promptly. Defence will continue to offer support, through the Defence Community Organisation, to Capt Lawton’s family. The Terms of Reference and Instrument of Appointment are available at http://www.defence.gov.au/publications/CAPT_Lawton_BOI.pdf |