Navigating complexity: How the Bass Strait Polo Pony tragedy drove Biosecurity Tasmania to modernise investigations with Comtrac

In 2018, the deaths of 16 elite polo ponies during a routine journey across the Bass Strait shocked Australia’s regulatory and animal welfare sectors. Learn more about the case specifics here.  

While the incident was distressing, the investigation that followed revealed a deeper issue: the need for a purpose-built platform to manage complex, multi-agency investigations efficiently and consistently. 

The catalyst for change 

The incident began when two horse transports boarded the Spirit of Tasmania in Devonport, Tasmania, bound for Melbourne. After disembarking and stopping at a Yarra Glen property to check on the horses, one transport was found in order. The other, carrying 18 elite polo ponies, had 16 deceased animals and two fighting for life. These horses had recently competed in a polo tournament in Northeast Tasmania and had previously made the same journey into Tasmania without incident. 

What followed was not only a high-profile investigation but a logistical and operational challenge involving: 

Three regulators: 

• Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) 

• Biosecurity Tasmania 

• Agriculture Victoria 

Multiple pieces of legislation across jurisdictions, including: 

• Animal Health Act 1995 (Tas) 

• Animal Welfare Act 1993 (Tas) 

• Animal Welfare (Land Transport of Livestock)

• Regulations 2013 (Tas) 

• Navigation Act 2012 (Cth) 

• Marine Order 43 (Cth) 

This case quickly exposed the friction points that occur when regulators from different jurisdictions and legislative environments attempt to coordinate complex investigations without a unified digital platform. The manual exchange of information, inconsistent evidence tracking, and differing regulatory processes all led to duplication, delays and increased risk of error. 

The compilation of the brief took a considerable amount of time, spanning several months to complete. This extended timeframe reflects the challenges often faced in traditional investigative and reporting processes, including the need to manually review and consolidate evidence, consult multiple stakeholders, and ensure all evidentiary standards were met.  

The turning point for investigation management 

What made this case so significant was not only the tragic loss of animal life but also the realisation by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and Biosecurity Tasmania that their existing tools and systems were not fit for purpose in managing a matter of this scale and complexity. 

The Bass Strait Polo Pony case became a defining moment and a catalyst for adopting Comtrac, a digital investigation management platform purpose-built to manage regulatory investigations from inception to enforcement. Comtrac provided the structure needed to streamline collaboration across jurisdictions, ensure legislative alignment, and reduce administrative burden by digitising workflows, automating briefs of evidence, and ensuring consistency in how matters were recorded and prosecuted.  

The case highlighted the pressing need for modern tools that support the unique demands of regulatory investigation teams. In the years since, Comtrac has become a trusted solution for regulators seeking to modernise their investigative capability and improve outcomes for the communities they serve. 

Curious how much time your agency could save? Try our Efficiency Gains Calculator to quantify the potential impact of modernising your investigative workflow