Two defence trucks rolled over near floodwaters in northern NSW, injuring 13 people, one of whom remains in a stable condition in hospital.
More than 30 people were in the two vehicles when they rolled over in Tregeagle, near Lismore.
The area has been on alert for flooding in recent days after the onset of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
It’s raised questions over the role of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in responding to natural disasters.
Storm
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred made landfall as a tropical low over the weekend in northern NSW and South East Queensland. The storm brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to the region.
Dozens of people have been rescued, and a 61-year-old man was found dead in floodwaters near the NSW town of Dorrigo, inland from Coffs Harbour.
Evacuation orders issued for NSW’s Northern Rivers region – which includes Lismore – were largely lifted over the weekend.
ADF trucks
Late on Saturday afternoon, two ADF trucks were involved in “route clearance work”.
There were 16 people on board each truck.
While travelling between two jobs, one of the trucks rolled several times off the road into a paddock.
The second truck tipped onto its side while it swerved trying to avoid the first truck.
While it was initially reported the trucks collided with each other, NSW Police has now confirmed this did not happen.
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13 people were taken to hospital to be treated for injuries, six of which were classified as “serious”.
Defence Minister Richard Marles has since confirmed 12 of the 13 ADF personnel have been released from hospital, and one is still being treated for “non-life threatening injuries”.
Response
Defence authorities have confirmed they’re investigating the incident. Marles told reporters the truck rollovers would not impact overall ADF operations in northern NSW.
The Defence Minister also said personnel involved in helping storm-affected communities had shown “selflessness”.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton expressed his concerns about the welfare of the ADF troops, who he said were “bravely stepping into danger to protect and support communities.”
ADF role
Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie, who served in the ADF, has urged the Government to reconsider the role of the military in natural disasters.
Lambie told Sky News on Sunday the ADF should not be the “first port of call”, pointing to a 2023 government-initiated report that found the ADF is not “appropriately equipped to act as a domestic disaster recovery agency”.
Nationals frontbencher Barnaby Joyce echoed these comments, telling Channel Seven on Monday that the ADF needed to focus on the “defence of Australia more so than emergency relief.”
Marles has defended ADF deployment in the wake of disasters.
“Defence will be there ready to provide support when they have unique assets that can be provided,” Marles told media on Sunday.
“The personnel that they had, were enormously useful in respect of route clearance.”
