Ms LAWRIE - 2003-10-09
With the first anniversary of the tragic bombings on Sunday, could you please outline how this will be recognised in the Territory and what it means for Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, Sunday sees 12 months since the tragic bombing at the Sari Club and Paddy’s Bar in Bali. It is a tragedy that impacted on all Territorians, all Australians, and around the world when it happened. It still has that impact. You know people who were affected. Stories run in the media about the effect that the Bali bombings had on those lives. It is pleasing that, on Sunday, there will be services so that the process of healing from what happened in Bali 12 months ago will continue.
Two hundred and two people died 12 months ago in the Bali bombings and, of those 202, 88 were Australians. It is still extraordinary to think, because of the connection between Darwin particularly and Bali, that there were no Territorians killed. It is an extraordinary fact and great luck. Of the 202 people who died, 88 of those were Australians. Over 200 people were injured and, of course, there is that flow-on effect for the friends, colleagues and team mates of those who were injured or died and those whose lives have been changed because of the Bali bombings. Australia has been forever changed by it and, because we in Darwin consider Bali virtually as our backyard, our view of our place in the world has been forever changed as well.
We stand with pride about how the Territory responded to the Bali bombings. Operation Bali Assist is the name that has been given to how our medical professionals and other agencies responded, in an extraordinary way, to those who came here who were so critically injured. In 36 hours, one of this country’s most effectively coordinated disaster responses was put in place, and we can proudly say that we saved lives in Darwin.
There has been much said in this place, and much written about the response from Darwin, but we need to recognise again today the efforts of those at Royal Darwin Hospital, particularly in Accident and Emergency; the contributions made by St John Ambulance people; the Red Cross; the Defence Forces; Darwin Private Hospital; Police, Fire and Emergency Services personnel, as well as many ordinary people in Darwin who contributed. The emergency procedure that was in place at Royal Darwin Hospital was tested severely, but stood up well on those days 12 months ago. In less than 12 hours after the Bali bombings, and over those two days that followed, more than 60 critically injured casualties arrived at Royal Darwin Hospital. More than 50 of those were suffering from serious burns. The old emergency section was a tough place to work, but those teams got together and worked very efficiently and effectively.
In 36 hours, more than 50 critically injured casualties, most with multiple other injuries as well as horrific burns, were resuscitated, treated and safely dispatched to other centres across Australia. We really should pay tribute to the magnificent staff at Royal Darwin Hospital, now nearly 12 months on. I believe their lives were changed by this experience, and talking to some of them about the impact of those severely injured people coming in, they will never forget that.
Services will be held around the country on Sunday. They will be attended by survivors, friends and families of victims, dignitaries and, in Bali, by local Balinese. There is a major service happening on Sunday in Bali. The same will be happening on a smaller scale in Darwin. The Council of Churches will be holding a memorial service at the Uniting Church in Smith Street. It will be a low key service and, very appropriately, will start at 3 pm on Sunday. It will be open to the public, and I encourage all those here to go along to remember Bali 12 months ago.
I take this opportunity, once again, to put on the record the appreciation of government, of this parliament, and the people of the Northern Territory to all those who responded so magnificently 12 months ago. On behalf of Territorians, I suppose the best thing to say is: thank you.
Mr BURKE: Prior to asking my question, I indicate that the opposition acknowledges the importance of the day and supports entirely the comments that have been made by the Chief Minister.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, Sunday sees 12 months since the tragic bombing at the Sari Club and Paddy’s Bar in Bali. It is a tragedy that impacted on all Territorians, all Australians, and around the world when it happened. It still has that impact. You know people who were affected. Stories run in the media about the effect that the Bali bombings had on those lives. It is pleasing that, on Sunday, there will be services so that the process of healing from what happened in Bali 12 months ago will continue.
Two hundred and two people died 12 months ago in the Bali bombings and, of those 202, 88 were Australians. It is still extraordinary to think, because of the connection between Darwin particularly and Bali, that there were no Territorians killed. It is an extraordinary fact and great luck. Of the 202 people who died, 88 of those were Australians. Over 200 people were injured and, of course, there is that flow-on effect for the friends, colleagues and team mates of those who were injured or died and those whose lives have been changed because of the Bali bombings. Australia has been forever changed by it and, because we in Darwin consider Bali virtually as our backyard, our view of our place in the world has been forever changed as well.
We stand with pride about how the Territory responded to the Bali bombings. Operation Bali Assist is the name that has been given to how our medical professionals and other agencies responded, in an extraordinary way, to those who came here who were so critically injured. In 36 hours, one of this country’s most effectively coordinated disaster responses was put in place, and we can proudly say that we saved lives in Darwin.
There has been much said in this place, and much written about the response from Darwin, but we need to recognise again today the efforts of those at Royal Darwin Hospital, particularly in Accident and Emergency; the contributions made by St John Ambulance people; the Red Cross; the Defence Forces; Darwin Private Hospital; Police, Fire and Emergency Services personnel, as well as many ordinary people in Darwin who contributed. The emergency procedure that was in place at Royal Darwin Hospital was tested severely, but stood up well on those days 12 months ago. In less than 12 hours after the Bali bombings, and over those two days that followed, more than 60 critically injured casualties arrived at Royal Darwin Hospital. More than 50 of those were suffering from serious burns. The old emergency section was a tough place to work, but those teams got together and worked very efficiently and effectively.
In 36 hours, more than 50 critically injured casualties, most with multiple other injuries as well as horrific burns, were resuscitated, treated and safely dispatched to other centres across Australia. We really should pay tribute to the magnificent staff at Royal Darwin Hospital, now nearly 12 months on. I believe their lives were changed by this experience, and talking to some of them about the impact of those severely injured people coming in, they will never forget that.
Services will be held around the country on Sunday. They will be attended by survivors, friends and families of victims, dignitaries and, in Bali, by local Balinese. There is a major service happening on Sunday in Bali. The same will be happening on a smaller scale in Darwin. The Council of Churches will be holding a memorial service at the Uniting Church in Smith Street. It will be a low key service and, very appropriately, will start at 3 pm on Sunday. It will be open to the public, and I encourage all those here to go along to remember Bali 12 months ago.
I take this opportunity, once again, to put on the record the appreciation of government, of this parliament, and the people of the Northern Territory to all those who responded so magnificently 12 months ago. On behalf of Territorians, I suppose the best thing to say is: thank you.
Mr BURKE: Prior to asking my question, I indicate that the opposition acknowledges the importance of the day and supports entirely the comments that have been made by the Chief Minister.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016