Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I spoke with Premier McGowan just this morning and I've been in regular contact with him over recent days. As the Prime Minister has said, more than 70 homes have been destroyed and more than 9,000 hectares have been burnt. This is a fire front that stretches some 80 kilometres. Perth, of course, already in lockdown, is shrouded in smoke. More than 200 firefighters are putting themselves on the line, and it's a reminder once again of the magnificent work that firefighters, those on the payroll, but by and large just volunteers in the community, do on behalf of their neighbours and their local communities.

We can be very thankful that no-one has lost their life. Animals haven't been so lucky, of course, and once again, pets, livestock and wildlife are suffering terribly. The Mayor of Swan, Kevin Bailey, said this morning that the lockdown appears to have helped, because people were at home, so they were able to go and lock up particularly horses and other animals. They were on site, rather than being away in the CBD or away from their homes.

Firefighters are bracing for wind gusts up to 70 kilometres an hour today, although, when I spoke to the Premier just a short while ago, he said it hadn't reached that point yet. But, of course, it's earlier in the day in Western Australia. There are concerns about the effects later this week of a cyclone which is forming to the north of the state. Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said:

… while we may have slightly cooler temperatures, we will be dealing with stronger winds so there are some difficult times ahead …

Today, our thoughts are with the courageous, selfless firefighters who are, once again, putting themselves in harm's way for the sake of their communities, their families and their fellow Australians.

On behalf of Labor, I stand to offer whatever support the Commonwealth can provide and to make whatever representations necessary from the people of Western Australia to make sure that we regard this as a national issue. A crisis in one area of this country is a crisis for our country. The Premier informed me that the tanker has arrived from New South Wales and is on the ground providing support, and that's a good thing. It would appear from the assessment, though, that what we're really waiting on is rain—a bit similar to what has occurred when we've seen fires in other parts of the country in our past. Our hearts go out to everyone who has lost their home. We stand with you, and we offer whatever support we can give.

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