Mr BURKE - 2008-05-08
Burma has been devastated by the impact of Cyclone Nargis. Can you please advise the House on how the Territory is showing its support for the people of Burma?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question, because it has been a very distressing time watching our television screens and the enormous tragedy that has unfolded in Burma over the last couple of days. Up to 100 000 people may have died - maybe more. After watching the news last night, as the enormity and the scale of this tragedy has unfolded before us, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Burma, as well as the small Burmese community in the Northern Territory.
I have just returned from the Buddhist Temple at Leanyer, where I offered my condolences directly to the Buddhist community of the Northern Territory. Everybody would know it is a very tightknit community. In the latest numbers we have, there are approximately 70 Burmese people who live in Darwin. However, of course, the Buddhist community is a much bigger community than that. I went there today to offer my condolences on behalf of not only the government but the people of the Northern Territory, to let that community, which is grieving very much at this time, know that the community is in our thoughts and prayers, as well as the people of Burma.
I can advise the House today that I spoke to the Police Commissioner this morning about what assistance we may be able to provide from Darwin. The Police Commissioner advised me that, if requested by the Australian government, if a relief team does go in from the Australian government, we have expertise amongst our police force in disaster victim identification, and in forensics, and we could provide people as part of that effort if it is required. Also, through my colleague, the Health Minister, our hospital will be ready if called upon to receive victims from that particular disaster - again, if required. I have conveyed this offer to the Australian government as it evaluates what we as a nation may be able to do to assist the people of Burma; that the Northern Territory stands by to do what we can and we are ready.
I can also advise the House, and speaking with the Buddhist community today, obviously, Territorians will want to donate financially to the relief cause. That is just unfolding across the country. There are concerns about relief agencies being able to get on the ground in Burma and get the help to the people who need it. However, I am confident that the United Nations and the global community will be able to get in there. In order to kick-start that contribution from the Northern Territory, the government has contributed $100 000, and we will be working with the Buddhist community about where they see it is most appropriate for that money to go. Obviously, the Buddhist community will be holding a number of fundraising events in the weeks ahead. I am sure everybody in this House, if able to, will get behind - and encourage their constituents and communities to get behind - those efforts.
It is an enormous tragedy that is unfolding. Darwin and the Northern Territory is a very multicultural place. We have people from all around the world who live here. I know everyone is feeling the same way that I am feeling at the moment: pretty helpless in what we can do. However, what we can do, we will do. That offer is being conveyed to the Australian government today. I am sure everybody in this House sends our condolences to the people of Burma, and the Buddhist and Burmese community in the Northern Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question, because it has been a very distressing time watching our television screens and the enormous tragedy that has unfolded in Burma over the last couple of days. Up to 100 000 people may have died - maybe more. After watching the news last night, as the enormity and the scale of this tragedy has unfolded before us, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Burma, as well as the small Burmese community in the Northern Territory.
I have just returned from the Buddhist Temple at Leanyer, where I offered my condolences directly to the Buddhist community of the Northern Territory. Everybody would know it is a very tightknit community. In the latest numbers we have, there are approximately 70 Burmese people who live in Darwin. However, of course, the Buddhist community is a much bigger community than that. I went there today to offer my condolences on behalf of not only the government but the people of the Northern Territory, to let that community, which is grieving very much at this time, know that the community is in our thoughts and prayers, as well as the people of Burma.
I can advise the House today that I spoke to the Police Commissioner this morning about what assistance we may be able to provide from Darwin. The Police Commissioner advised me that, if requested by the Australian government, if a relief team does go in from the Australian government, we have expertise amongst our police force in disaster victim identification, and in forensics, and we could provide people as part of that effort if it is required. Also, through my colleague, the Health Minister, our hospital will be ready if called upon to receive victims from that particular disaster - again, if required. I have conveyed this offer to the Australian government as it evaluates what we as a nation may be able to do to assist the people of Burma; that the Northern Territory stands by to do what we can and we are ready.
I can also advise the House, and speaking with the Buddhist community today, obviously, Territorians will want to donate financially to the relief cause. That is just unfolding across the country. There are concerns about relief agencies being able to get on the ground in Burma and get the help to the people who need it. However, I am confident that the United Nations and the global community will be able to get in there. In order to kick-start that contribution from the Northern Territory, the government has contributed $100 000, and we will be working with the Buddhist community about where they see it is most appropriate for that money to go. Obviously, the Buddhist community will be holding a number of fundraising events in the weeks ahead. I am sure everybody in this House, if able to, will get behind - and encourage their constituents and communities to get behind - those efforts.
It is an enormous tragedy that is unfolding. Darwin and the Northern Territory is a very multicultural place. We have people from all around the world who live here. I know everyone is feeling the same way that I am feeling at the moment: pretty helpless in what we can do. However, what we can do, we will do. That offer is being conveyed to the Australian government today. I am sure everybody in this House sends our condolences to the people of Burma, and the Buddhist and Burmese community in the Northern Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016