South Australian federal Liberal MP Tony Pasin and a member of his staff have been injured in a serious boating incident in northern Tasmania, after a vessel struck a sandbar during a tour of an oyster farm on Thursday morning.
Pasin, who serves as the Member for Barker, was visiting an oyster lease at Bakers Beach — east of Devonport — as part of his shadow ministerial duties when the barge grounded at around 9.30am. The impact sent the trip from a routine farm inspection into a frightening emergency.
Staffer Trapped Underwater, MP Slammed into Vessel
Tasmania Police confirmed they received reports that a man had fallen overboard and become temporarily trapped between the sandbar and the hull of the barge. The man was quickly pulled to safety by others on board and received medical attention at the scene before being transported to Launceston General Hospital.
It is understood the staffer was submerged for approximately one minute as the barge continued its forward momentum, with Pasin and others on board working urgently to free him.
Pasin himself did not escape unscathed. He sustained knee and wrist injuries after being thrown into the front of the vessel during the collision with the sandbar, and was also taken to hospital for treatment. He has since been discharged.
MP Confirms Incident, Vows to Stay in Tasmania
In a statement confirming the incident, Pasin said his immediate concern was for his injured staff member.
"My first priority is the welfare of my staff member. We are both receiving medical treatment, and the appropriate notifications have been made to relevant authorities and family members contacted," he said.
Pasin thanked first responders and all those who provided assistance at the scene, adding that he intended to remain in Tasmania to support his staffer and that it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
Staffer Remains in Hospital in Serious but Stable Condition
As of the latest update, Pasin's staff member remains in Launceston General Hospital in a serious but stable condition, with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Police have referred the matter to both WorkSafe Tasmania and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, with investigations into the circumstances of the incident now underway.
The incident draws attention to the safety risks that can accompany working aquaculture environments, where vessels operating in shallow coastal waters face the constant hazard of shifting sandbars and unpredictable conditions. For those following shifts across Australian federal politics, Pasin's sudden absence from Canberra duties will be noted as he remains in Tasmania during his staffer's recovery.
