Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Labor opposition I seek to support Senator Minchin’s condolence motion. I find myself in the position of having to do far too many of these condolence motions in recent times. The crash of Garuda flight 200 at Yogyakarta airport on 7 March is another occasion for which the parliament has to express condolence, to the family and friends of the 21 people killed. Among those 21 people were five Australians but our concern and condolences go out to all of those affected.

In addition to the five Australians who were killed, others survived the crash but many are seriously injured and we wish them full recoveries and hope that they get over what have been, in many cases, quite horrific injuries. I would like to extend condolences to the families and loved ones of the five Australians killed in the terrible accident.

It is a tragedy that has hit the Parliament House community very hard. Outsiders who watch question time would be hard pressed to see that there is a community in Parliament House. The cut and thrust of question time leaves people with the impression that there is not a sense of personal relationships around the building but politicians, staff of the parliament and journalists all work in the building and all interact. Those who were lost in this tragedy were known to many of the inhabitants of Parliament House.

We also extend our sympathies to the embassy staff, Defence and the AFP, who interact closely with us and interacted closely with those who lost their lives. I would like to support Senator Minchin’s remarks about the Indonesian embassy. The staff of that embassy have been through an awful lot in recent times. They have continued to serve Australia with distinction and show a resilience that is quite remarkable. Certainly I extend our congratulations for that effort. But our sympathy for having to survive yet another tragedy is extended to all of them.

Morgan Mellish, as Senator Minchin said, was a Fairfax journalist based in Indonesia but well known in the press gallery here. He was obviously well loved and well respected. I know that the parliamentary press gallery has been particularly hard hit by the loss of Morgan. Laura Tingle’s tribute to her colleagues on television was an extraordinarily moving statement and I think it captured the shock and grief of not only the parliamentary press gallery but also the whole parliamentary community.

Elizabeth O’Neill was the counsellor for public affairs at the Australian embassy in Jakarta and distinguished herself during the response to the Bali bombings in 2002. She became well known to many in government and in the parliament. She was very highly regarded. She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her work at that time. I know that her passing is mourned by many.

Two officers of the Australian Federal Police were also killed, highlighting again the dangerous nature of the work that the AFP does on our behalf. They were Federal Agent Mark Scott and Federal Agent Brice Steele. I note that AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty recognised and paid tribute to the exemplary service of agents Steele and Scott when they served both here and overseas. As parliamentarians we rely on AFP officers when we travel internationally. We get to know them and understand their commitment and professionalism. Our condolences go out to all AFP officers and the families and friends of those who lost their lives.

Allison Sudradjat was AusAID’s most senior official in Indonesia and led Australia’s aid program there. She was dedicated to her work and had an extraordinary record of achievement throughout her service in Indonesia and PNG. The outpouring of grief and respect both in Indonesia and Australia I think was a tribute to the regard in which she was held. All five of the Australians were killed whilst in some way serving the Australian community, so I think that the parliament and the Australian community owe them a great debt. They lost their lives as part of their contribution to our community. Once again, I extend our condolences to their families.

I think Minister Downer’s obvious distress in that terrible situation—and his knowledge of the people and his closeness to a number of them—reflected the reaction of all members of parliament. I offer him our sympathies given that it was obviously a terrible situation with which he had to deal.

I also think it is important that we remember the many other people who were killed in the terrible accident and send our condolences and sincere wishes to their families. Indonesia has had more than its fair share of tragedy in recent years, with terrorist attacks, the tsunami and a whole range of other events. We send our condolences to all of those affected in Indonesia.

I am also conscious of the other Australians who survived the disaster and who are recovering from their injuries. In particular, best wishes to Cynthia Banham, who I know is fondly regarded by the parliamentary community and whose battle with her very serious injuries is followed closely by many of us. We wish her a strong and successful recovery from what has been a terrible ordeal.

We also want to acknowledge the work of the many Australian personnel who have been involved in responding to the tragedy—Defence Force personnel, AFP personnel, medical people back in Australia and federal public servants as well. They have all contributed to making the best of this terrible situation.

As I said, we have been called upon to move condolence motions in this place far too often of late. It is a sad reflection, perhaps, of our times. But this was obviously just one of those terrible accidents. I would like to reiterate our concern for the families and friends, offer our condolences and hope that those who have been injured make a quick and speedy recovery.