Russell Broadbent (Monash, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Droughts, bushfires, floods and storms—we are humbled in the face of such displays of nature's power. Helpless, brought to our knees when control of our lives and property is given over to the mercy of our living experience. Can we even say, 'I can save? Have I the resources to defend or do I run and evacuate—better to live than defend'? 'I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, of ragged mountain ranges, of drought and flooding rains. I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea. Her beauty and her terror—the wide brown land for me!' In humility we abide. All strength to those who wear the high-vis armour and are sent to save, for they, the frontline responders, have taken to the field once again in their determination to confront the foe. They will race to the rescue. Not for me, not for us but for others you are called. May you never fail. May you know our confidence is in you and your capacity to succeed.