Parliamentary Speeches
Victorian Bushfires (25/03/2009)
Mr DONALD PAGE (Ballina) [12.04 p.m.]: On behalf of the people of the Ballina electorate I offer my condolences to the families and friends of all those affected by the Victorian bushfires. I also pay tribute to all those who tried so valiantly to reduce the loss of life and contain the bushfires when they began on Black Saturday, 7 February. More than 200 people lost their lives in the most horrendous of circumstances. More than 500 people suffered serious injuries, and over 2,000 homes were destroyed. Those who survived the fires will bear the scars forever, as they live with and relive over and over again the terrible tragedy of the fires. The personal tragedies will be indelibly etched into the hearts and minds of all those affected. Many families will never be the same again. Many have lost loved ones, and I extend my deepest sympathy to those people in particular.
I would like to highlight the wonderful contribution of the volunteer firefighters from Victoria and across our nation who responded so quickly and so bravely to the challenge. Volunteers from throughout New South Wales responded to the call. I especially acknowledge and thank all those from the North Coast of New South Wales, and from the Ballina electorate in particular, for their dedicated efforts in helping to save lives and property. Fifty firefighters from the Ballina electorate alone went to fight the fires, including nine from Alstonville, two from Billinudgel, two from Byron Bay-Suffolk Park, eight from Lennox Head, nine from Main Arm, seven from Mullumbimby, three from Newrybar, eight from Wardell and two from Wilsons Creek. I take this opportunity to thank all those firefighters. I also thank their employers for making it possible for them to go to Victoria.
I also congratulate the thousands of people in my electorate who have so generously donated money to help those affected by the fires try to rebuild their lives. Their generosity has been outstanding. I am not sure exactly how much money in total has been donated to the various bushfire appeals. However, I note that an article in the Northern Star on Saturday 14 February—only seven days after Black Saturday—reported that $80 million had already been raised. Australians are indeed a very generous people, especially when responding to disasters. We saw that with the tsunami a few years ago, we saw it with Cyclone Larry, and we saw it again in relation to the Victorian bushfires.
For many of us who wanted to help in some way, giving money or offering other support was the only way we could provide practical assistance. I note that the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal will close on Friday 17 April. This appeal has so far raised a massive $250 million. Funds have already been distributed to people and businesses affected by the fires. The immediate emergency may be over, but families and communities still face significant recovery challenges. I applaud the Red Cross for its work in support of all those affected by the Victorian bushfires.
Three factors affect a bushfire: weather conditions, topography and fuel load. We cannot change the weather. We can have regard to topography when we build our homes. Importantly, we can influence the fuel load. The one clear lesson from these bushfires is to reduce the fuel load wherever this can be done safely. We must take seriously the need for hazard reduction burns and empower local brigades to reduce the fuel load when required. We will never forget the collective and individual tragedies that these bushfires have wrought, in both human and environmental terms. We will always remember the victims, their families and their friends. We must do everything we can to minimise the chances of this type of tragedy happening again. We must embrace the policy of increasing the ability to conduct safe hazard reduction burns when appropriate. In the past many inquiries were held after major bushfire events and they all recommended more hazard reduction burning. But governments have not heeded this advice. Let us hope they do in future. Again, on behalf of the people of the Ballina electorate I extend my sincere condolences to all those affected by the Victorian bushfires.
