2009-02-10
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Duration of Question Time
Duration of Question Time
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I understand that there has been an agreement made with the government, opposition and the Independent member that there will only be two questions today in keeping with the solemnity of the day and following on from the condolence debate earlier this day.
I thank the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition for their leadership in this matter.
Victorian Bushfires –
Northern Territory Response
Northern Territory Response
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
I know that I speak for all Territorians when I say that the Victorian bushfire tragedy has shocked us all, and despite our distance from these fires, there are many residents of the Northern Territory who have been touched by the devastation that has hit Victoria. There seems little doubt that the full impact of this catastrophe is yet to be felt.
Can you please outline the Northern Territory’s response to the bushfire tragedy? Where do you see the areas of real need in the aftermath of the fires? Is there any more help you believe Territorians can offer?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. These have been traumatic days for all Australians and traumatic days for all Territorians as we have watched the horror of these fires and the devastation unfold before us on our television screens. The nation has faced enormous trauma, grief and sorrow as we have witnessed these unprecedented, horrific events.
I commend the Leader of the Opposition for approaching me just after the condolence debate and suggesting that we commit Question Time to talking to Territorians about not only what the government is doing to help, but what ordinary Territorians are doing to help, and to cease with any political points over the course of this Question Time. I commend the Leader of the Opposition for giving up his opportunity.
These are very sad days for Australia. It is important. In our very moving condolence debate in this parliament this morning, we spoke about how the great Australian nation does come together in times of tragedy. What we have witnessed over the last few days and, I am sure, over the coming weeks and months, will be this great nation coming together to support and help rebuild so many lives that have been shattered as a result of these fires.
The size of the devastation from 400 bushfires, having swept through 23 communities, is difficult to comprehend. Some of us have experienced bushfires but nothing on the size and scale of what we have witnessed over the last few days. The devastation has included loss of many lives and property. Sadly, over 175 lives have been lost. Tragically, that number is likely to climb higher. Over 750 homes have been destroyed; over 5000 Victorians are homeless as a result of these fires.
Each and every one of the 25 members of this parliament represents the people of the Northern Territory. Each and every one of us offer our deepest and sincerest condolences, not only on behalf of ourselves, but on behalf of our constituents, to the people who have lost family members, friends, and loved ones in these fires.
We also pay tribute to those who battled the ferocity of the fires and stood in their path in an attempt to halt the progress. If we can imagine and put ourselves in their shoes, many of those firefighters would have faced terror in trying to halt those fires. As we sit in this House, I am advised that weather conditions have improved, with many of the fire warnings being downgraded, but with a number of Victorian communities still on fire alert. I am also advised that seriously hot weather is due to descend on Victoria and South Australia later this week.
When the tragedy was unfolding over the weekend, I made a call to the Victorian Premier, John Brumby, to offer my condolences and to tell him that the people of the Northern Territory would stand by the people of Victoria, and we would do all we could to assist the people of Victoria during this terrible time.
Following an official request for assistance yesterday, four Northern Territory police forensic experts – two from Darwin, two from Alice Springs – will be departing for Victoria today. Northern Territory Police are recognised for expert skills and disaster recovery following a number of tragic incidents, including the Bali bombings. The absolute horror and obscenity of the fact that a number of these fires were deliberately lit is just too hard to comprehend - how people could do such a thing, because it is an obscenity. Our police officers and forensic experts will be joining Victorian police and other police in assisting to identify the culprits of these obscene crimes.
Our Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Services and Emergency Services have been engaging in regular national telephone conferences with the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council to clarify resource requirements. The Fire and Rescue Services have a designated liaison officer on standby to fly to Melbourne, and an additional two members are also on standby to establish a Northern Territory contingent.
As members who represent rural electorates know, so many of our Bushfires Council members and volunteers have put their names on a register offering to go to Victoria at a moment’s notice. Over the days and weeks to come, there will be an enormous national effort required to help recover and, ultimately, rebuild these communities. Territorians will play a prominent part, as we always do.
Numerous people have been hospitalised as a result of the fires. Over the weekend, in just one 24-hour period, 20 people with burns to 30% of their bodies were admitted to the Alfred Hospital. The Leader of the Opposition spoke very movingly this morning about his own personal experience, where his family suffered a loss in bushfires in Western Australia a number of years ago, and the trauma that one of the surviving burns victims still faces today. Similar stories will unfold over the weeks, months and years right around this nation as a result of these tragic fires.
Through the national response coordination channels, the Royal Darwin Hospital has offered its services in the areas of critical care, nursing, medical and allied health, general surgeon and burns nurse, pharmacy, pathology, and public health. Our hospital stands very proud with all the work they do on a daily basis. When there is trauma in our region, such as the Bali bombings, the tsunami and, now, with these fires, our wonderful people at Royal Darwin Hospital put themselves forward time and time again to help. I thank them on behalf of all Territorians and all members here.
I am pleased to record the good work of the health carers who have worked tirelessly to care for and treat the victims. I convey our best wishes to the patients for their recovery. Some will face a very long road to recovery over many years. A significant amount of crisis counselling will probably be needed, and our Director of Mental Health has been in contact with the Victorian counterpart to offer assistance.
The Northern Territory government and our broader community are small compared to Victoria, but we are committed to helping our fellow Australians during this very traumatic time. I know that honourable members join with me today in offering our deepest and most sincere condolences to the people of Victoria and to those who have lost family members, friends and loved ones.
Members: Hear, hear!
Victorian Bushfires –
Northern Territory Response
Northern Territory Response
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
The bushfire tragedies unfolding in Victoria have touched the hearts of all Australians. Could you please advise the House of what Territorians are doing to respond to this crisis and how donations can be made?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. My last response talked about what the government, government officers and government departments were doing. Just in the couple of days as this tragedy has unfolded, the response from ordinary Territorians throughout all walks of life has been swift, it has been significant, and it has been commendable.
As members are aware, the Victorian government and the Australian government established the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund. On behalf of government, and on behalf of all Territorians, I pledge $500 000 to kick start the relief fund from the Northern Territory. I take this opportunity to inform those who are listening to this broadcast who wish to make a donation to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund that they can go to www.redcross.org.au, or call the toll free number 1800 811 700.
My government is encouraging all of our 17 000 public servants to make a donation. We have made that very simple by allowing those donations to be made through the department’s payroll services. All donations will be made to the Darwin Division of the Red Cross, and they have confirmed that 100% of all donations will go to the bushfire appeal. There will be no administration fee. Every single dollar that is donated to Red Cross in the Territory will go to the appeal. I commend Red Cross for ensuring that that occurs.
As I said this morning, the top end of town is doing its bit as well. All of the banks have donated $1m each; Wesfarmers, owners of Bunnings and Coles, has donated $0.5m. When I last looked, the fund had passed $15.1m from 88 000 donations across the nation in the last two days. I know all of us here will be going back to our constituencies after these sittings, working with our community groups, sporting groups, charities, and school groups in our electorates, helping with fundraising appeals. I know that all Territorians will dig deep and offer what they can.
Some of the groups who are making donations that have come to my attention over the last couple of days are: Coles is committing to donate all their profits on Friday from people shopping; so, if you shop at Coles on Friday, all profits go to the appeal. Ducks Nuts in Mitchell Street is taking collections. The Alice Springs Turf Club is having a charity auction on 22 February, and I am sure, if we have donations that we can make, let us make them to the Alice Springs Turf Club for their charity auction. Tourism Central Australia will appeal to all their operators for financial donations; well done to Tourism Central Australia. The Red Rooster fast food chain is having in-shop donation appeals and collection of clothes and toys. 8HA and Talbot Transport have launched an appeal for clothes and toys, which Talbot Transport will generously freight south free of charge.
Yeperenye Shopping Centre is having an appeal for clothes and nappies. Clubs Northern Territory, the affiliation of all the clubs in the Territory, is donating profits on Fridays up to $50 000, so all the profits from the clubs up to $50 000 will be donated. The Centralian Advocate is having a clothing appeal; Mix FM in Darwin and host Pete Davies has an appeal going. I know that members individually have donated to the appeal. I spoke on Pete Davies’ show this morning and he told me, as of this morning, $54 000 had been pledged in just two days.
The AFL approached the Territory government regarding the Western Bulldogs/Essendon game requesting that the game be played in Melbourne instead of Darwin with all profits and takings for the game going to the appeal. The Sports minister and I quickly agreed to the request. They will get a much bigger crowd in Melbourne than in Darwin, or I hope they do, and it is a small gesture to make. Territorians love their footy but we can give it a miss for the night to make sure we maximise money for the appeal, and there are many, many more.
Territorians are known for their generosity. I spoke this morning, after reading the paper, to Tony Milhinhos at Nightcliff Shopping Centre. He spoke about losing his business and everything in Cyclone Tracy, and how generous Australians were in the Northern Territory, and that generosity assisted him to rebuild his business and rebuild his life. Tony is one of the most generous Northern Territory philanthropists that I know. He is matching, dollar-for-dollar, up to $500 000 to donate to this appeal. I thank Tony Milhinhos, on behalf of all members, for an enormous gesture.
Madam Speaker, we have all been deeply touched and, on occasion, overwhelmed by the stories of courage of ordinary Australians in confronting and dealing with the aftermath of these fires. To have the lives of so many Australians cut so short under such terrible, horrifying circumstances is something that none of us will ever forget.
At the end of the day, people are going to have to rebuild their lives and rebuild their communities. As a government, we will continue to do everything we can, but ordinary Territorians, supported by their elected members in this parliament, will do everything they can to help our fellow Australians at this enormous time of need. I encourage all Territorians to dig deep, give what you can to help your fellow Australians, and I am sure we will.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, in accordance with the agreement with the opposition, the Independent and government, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016