Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—The opposition joins with the government in expressing our deep concern for residents affected by the serious bushfires that are burning across Queensland and northern New South Wales. As of last night, there were 51 active fires in New South Wales and 61 in Queensland. It is of concern that so many bushfires of this severity are occurring so early in the year, and this should prompt further thought by all in this place. Many properties have been destroyed and damaged, including the heritage listed Binna Burra Lodge in the Gold Coast hinterland. The opposition have been in contact with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and state and federal emergency services ministers to offer support, and we'll continue to monitor the situation very closely.

We commend the efforts of fire and emergency service personnel and the many volunteers who have assisted in these dangerous conditions. We also commend residents of bushfire affected regions for their cooperation with authorities. We join our state and federal counterparts in encouraging all residents to follow the directions of authorities from here on. We express our sincerest sympathies to those who've lost their properties and we'll do what we can to support recovery efforts. We urge state and federal governments to take a compassionate approach towards those affected as recovery gets underway.