Senate debates

Tuesday, 22 November 2022

Ministerial Statements

West Java: Earthquake, Solomon Islands: Earthquake

3:05 pm

Photo of Simon BirminghamSimon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—Human tragedies and natural disasters remind us all that we live amongst a community of nations that is underpinned ultimately by a common sense of humanity. Within our region, the nations who we count as friends and partners are the ones we stand with during such times of difficulty.

We are aware that at least 162 individuals have lost their lives in the town of Cianjur, West Java in Indonesia, following the earthquake there. Many others are injured and missing. Families of course are torn apart, devastated and shattered. The community is facing huge disruption and an enormous rebuild. As Senator Wong has indicated—and I thank her for foreshadowing these remarks—more recently there was an earthquake in the Solomon Islands. The situation is still unfolding, but again the community is facing uncertainty, including from the potential threat of a tsunami.

These are all difficult times for the communities involved. The opposition join the government in expressing our condolences to those who have lost loved ones and offer our full support to Indonesia and the Solomon Islands as they deal with these difficulties. We extend also our support to the DFAT officers and consular staff who will be working with people during these difficult times and also to the relief teams, who no doubt have work to come. We extend full bipartisanship in terms of any response that the government provides in support for Indonesia or the Solomon Islands.

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