Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

On indulgence: on behalf of the opposition, I thank the Prime Minister and the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs for their report. Today we join with the Prime Minister in honouring the heroism of the men and women who have battled these terrible fires in Victoria. We also join with the Prime Minister in thanking the thousands of people from all around the world who have expressed their condolences, who have sent their love and who, of course, have made generous financial contributions. We acknowledge in particular the condolence messages from Her Majesty the Queen and the Prince of Wales. We also note the touching generosity of our neighbours in the region and thank them for it as well. Prime Minister, I thank you for the courtesy you have shown me as we have discussed these matters, in particular the establishment of a national day of mourning and a service of mourning. You are quite right—the nation is grieving and a focus for that grief is of enormous importance.

We have raised a number of matters of concern we have in common. The Prime Minister has spoken about insurance, and I look forward to discussing with him in the near future the proposal that we made yesterday for a special disaster insurance commissioner. We also look forward to there being bipartisan parliamentary representation on the reconstruction authority. As the House recalls, we propose that the Hon. Fran Bailey be a member of that reconstruction authority. Equally, while we recognise the very important role the royal commission will play, so this parliament has an important role to play in reviewing these tragic events, particularly in the light of other recent inquiries. Again, we look forward to discussing the establishment of a joint select committee to look into this.

The member for McEwen is with her constituents, as she has been throughout these tragic times, but she has asked me to read a statement that she issued today and pass on to the House a number of other messages. This is the statement that the member for McEwen, our dear friend Fran Bailey, has put out today. It is headed: ‘We will rise to the challenge’:

The confronting extent of devastation in our communities has dealt our people challenges never faced before by us as a region, a state and a nation.

The tragic loss of life in the Black Saturday fires last weekend has left no one person untouched—families, our friends, entire communities are grieving. To those who have lost loved ones, you have my sympathy.

The devastation of homes and businesses has brought us heartbreak straight from hell.

Yet the outpouring of comfort and support for survivors of the firestorm has provided the first rays of hope for new life in each of our affected communities.

The wonderful spirit that was brought to the fore last Saturday and has continued since from our fabulous volunteer firefighters and local residents determined to beat the menace of fire has transcended into the relief and recovery efforts.

Our communities and our nation have rallied like never before in providing clothing, food, where possible temporary accommodation and, most importantly, every ounce of assistance that has been within the means of organisations like Red Cross and the Salvation Army, our local councils and community groups and people across Australia who, until a week ago, were to us total strangers. Today they are our friends.

The need for understanding and assistance will last long after the final flames have been doused and the smoke clears from our valleys.

In the coming months, and probably years, there is much to be done in rebuilding our communities.

The immediate priority remains providing help for our residents to regain some degree of normality in their lives—the basics of clothing, food and toiletries; finding more suitable accommodation beyond tents, cars or staying with family or friends; ensuring that assistance and insurance claims are promptly and compassionately assessed.

We must also be mindful of children, who have experienced horrors totally unexpected for their young years, as they return to schools, sometimes a new school.

And there will be the massive clean-up task that our communities must face, an important step towards rebuilding townships properly planned to maximise the safety of our people and with improved facilities and resources.

The utter devastation across our communities will require not only the spirit of the last week but considerable ongoing financial support from all levels of government as we rebuild entire towns.

Some announcements have already been made and I will continue to work with our communities as we move from this period of grief and shock to putting in action our dreams for the future of our towns.

Fran has also asked me to say to the House how grateful the people of Victoria and her community are for the numerous offers of assistance and help. She is overwhelmed by the generosity. She has asked me to say, however, that just because some offers of help, such as offers of building materials and offers from trades men and women to come and rebuild, cannot be taken up immediately that does not mean they are not appreciated—far from it; they are deeply appreciated and will be taken up in the weeks ahead when the fires are extinguished and the areas are stabilised.

She asked me to conclude with two important points. First: please keep being generous. The dollars are very important. The Red Cross and the Salvation Army, as the Prime Minister has said, have asked for cash donations; that is extremely important. So Fran says: ‘Keep up the flow of money. It is vital to help rebuild these communities and vitally needed now.’ Finally, she says, ‘Above all, let’s all pray for rain.’

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