CANBERRA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has called for an inquiry into a major oil spill off the West Australian (WA) coast to be heard in public and include scrutiny of the government's role.

    Her comments followed the announcement of the inquiry by Australian Resources Minister Martin Ferguson on Thursday.

    The inquiry will investigate the spill at PTTEP Australasia's Montara oil field more than 200 km northwest of WA's Kimberley coastline.

    Fire broke out on the Montara well head platform on Sunday during attempts to plug the well with heavy mud.

    The well had been leaking since August 21 and was finally plugged on Tuesday.

    Siewert welcomed the minister's announcement, but she said she held concerns the inquiry may be held behind closed doors.

    "While the terms of reference appear to be comprehensive, we need the government to clarify that the commissioner will be able to review the government's involvement in this whole process and their decision-making process and actions," Siewert told reporters.

    "Very concerning about the inquiry, however, is that they haven't clarified that the inquiry would definitely be a public inquiry.

    Siewert said she respected David Borthwick, the senior commonwealth public servant appointed to lead the inquiry, but she was concerned he did not have any judicial experience.