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NSW premier’s unreserved apology over Ruby Princess ‘horrible mistakes’NSW premier’s unreserved apology over Ruby Princess ‘horrible mistakes’

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian offered an ‘unreserved apology’ for the ‘serious mistakes’ made by NSW health officials when Ruby Princess docked in Sydney on March 19.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

August 17, 2020

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

Berejiklian was speaking for the first time since the findings of the Special Commission of Inquiry into the spread of coronavirus from the ship were handed down, as reported here, last Friday. 

Lesson from ‘horrible mistakes’

‘We have learnt so much since those horrible mistakes,’ she said.

Those not on board

Berejiklian made particular mention of the people who were not on the ship, but contracted coronavirus as a consequence of the unchecked disembarkation.

Health minister’s apology

‘I am also sorry that people’s lives have been impacted by decisions in this one-in-100-years pandemic,’ New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

Hazzard thanked Senior Counsel Bret Walker who led the Special Commission established on April 15.

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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