Senate debates

Tuesday, 12 November 2019

Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers

Australian Bushfires

3:32 pm

Photo of David VanDavid Van (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Our first concern is for the safety and the needs of those directly affected. I think we all agree, especially in this chamber, that it is in times like this that we have to work together and look out for each other. As the Prime Minister said on his visit to the fire-affected communities in New South Wales, Australians are at their best in difficult moments like these. They have shown incredible spirit, heart and generosity. Our emergency services are once again showing their professionalism and dedication in the face of very difficult conditions. In a repeat of advice already given today in this chamber, if people in fire-affected areas are asked to leave by the fire services or emergency services, they should do so to look out for their families and look out for themselves: protect their lives and those of their families before looking after their properties.

I would also like to add my thanks to all the career and volunteer emergency services personnel fighting these fires. I would also like to acknowledge the comradeship on display by the contribution to the New South Wales firefighting efforts by interstate personnel from the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. The clear advice given by fire services to our communities—and I would like to repeat this—is to plan ahead and be prepared. Days like today are not the times when you want to start that planning or start your preparations. These are the days when those efforts need to be bearing fruit.

I'd also like to add that the Australian government stands ready to immediately assist those affected by fires in New South Wales and Queensland. I'd also like to note the defence minister's answer in question time that the Australian defence forces are coming to the aid of those fire areas. Talking about the Australian government assistance, as well as the ADF forces that are being added to this, fire-bombing aircraft have been in action across these fires, and our national aerial firefighting arrangements are ensuring the best possible aerial firefighting equipment is available to protect Australians. Every year the Australian government invests around $14.8 million in aerial firefighting. The Director-General of Emergency Management Australia, EMA, activated the COMDISPLAN on 31 October in response to a formal request for Australian government non-financial assistance, following significant fire activity in New South Wales. This remains activated today. Emergency Management Australia liaison officers have deployed to the New South Wales RFS State Operations Centre and the Queensland State Disaster Coordination Centre. The Australian government is in close contact with New South Wales and Queensland authorities and stands ready to assist.

Disaster recovery assistance is being provided under the DRFA, the disaster recovery funding arrangements, in response to the bushfires that have affected the Mid North Coast and northern New South Wales. DRFA assistance is available for the Mid North Coast bushfires in the local government areas of Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Mid Coast, Nambucca and Port Macquarie-Hastings and for the northern New South Wales bushfires in the local government areas of Armidale, Bellingen, Clarence Valley, Glen Innes-Severn, Inverell, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield, Uralla and Walcha. A range of assistance is available.

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