Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian government currently has over 230 officials in Japan working on the Australian response. This includes over 130 Australian-based and locally engaged staff providing consular support, including a team of three in Sendai, and liaising with Japanese authorities. We encourage all Australians in the areas affected to contact DFAT if they require assistance to depart. In addition, the Australian government also initially provided a 72-strong urban search and rescue team, though they have now begun their withdrawal and are all due back within the next couple of days. At the request of the Japanese government, Australia donated the team’s 76-person tented accommodation facility, incorporating shelters, generators, beds, food stocks and water to local authorities while medicines and medical equipment were given to the local hospital. (Time expired)