Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

This is one motion I cannot really say I am glad to speak on because it is about an appalling event that all of us wish had not happened, but it has and it still is happening. So I am adding my voice on behalf of my constituents to all those members who have already spoken so eloquently, many of them struggling with their emotions. I congratulate my colleagues on both sides of the House for the way in which the parliament has been conducted this past week. I take particular note of the member for McMillan, whose words truly moved everybody in the chamber on that day. What a privilege it was to be there listening to his speech.

As we continue to put on record our own condolences, we know the toll keeps rising. At present we have 181 deaths and hundreds injured. We know that these fires have destroyed more than 900 homes so far. We know many small towns and hamlets have been completely destroyed. What a terrible tragedy. It is truly just horrendous. Most of us will never know what it must feel like—we will never know the terror. How horrific the events of that fateful day, how people must have felt and how terrible the shock, the pain and the confusion of the days that follow.

Our thoughts are with the people who have lost their loved ones and the people who are yet to find out about their nearest and dearest and are still waiting—the anguish must be unbearable. Our thoughts are also with those who have lost their homes and those who are wondering why they were lucky and spared. All the different emotions, all these different experiences, but people need to know in Victoria that Australians around the country are clearly showing that they are not alone. We care. We will do whatever it takes to assist and we will provide the support and practical assistance that they need as they rebuild their lives, their homes and their communities.

Australia, while large in land, is just a small community and as so many people have been directly affected by this event, there are so many more across this nation who have some connection to this terrible tragedy—a family member, a friend, a friend of a friend—it makes it very personal for so many Victorians and Australians. As this tragedy unfolds, as the dreadful loss of lives continues to rise, we brace ourselves each day as we turn to the news and we see that more and more names have been added to those who have died. It gets worse, it gets more personal and we all begin to wonder why and how. We may never learn all the answers to the questions but we will try to find them. I commend the Victorian government for holding a royal commission into these fires. We owe it to those who have been touched and those who have died. May their losses never be in vain; may these events never be repeated.

Over the past few days my electorate office in Hobart like, I am sure, many others around the country has been inundated with people dropping off donations for the victims. They are calling asking what to donate; where they can make their donation of cash. In my electorate we are also hearing from those who need to talk to somebody about this horrendous event because for many it is bringing back memories of bushfire events passed. In Tasmania, ironically, on exactly that same day, 7 February, but in 1967, 42 years ago, many in my electorate were affected by their own terrible tragedy. The day is known in Tasmania as Black Tuesday and at that time it was the biggest loss of life from any disaster in any one day in this country.

They were the most deadly bushfires that Tasmania had ever faced. They left 62 people dead, 900 injured and 7,000 homeless. There were 125 separate fire fronts that burnt through southern Tasmania. They burnt some 264,000 hectares of land in southern Tasmania, all in just five hours. The worst of these fires was the Hobart fire, which encroached upon the city and affected the people in my electorate. Fifty-two people, most from my electorate, died on that day. The property loss was extensive, with 1,293 homes and over 1,700 other buildings destroyed. The fires destroyed 80 bridges, 4,800 sections of powerlines, 1,500 motor vehicles and over 100 other structures. The destruction was absolute. It was estimated that 62,000 livestock were destroyed, and the damage that day in Tasmania amounted to $45 million. That was in 1967 Australian dollar figures. My own family was touched by these bushfires that day. The town of Snug, south of Hobart, was badly damaged, and my father’s house was completely burnt down. Unfortunately, my father died just a few years later, when I was very young, and those treasured photos are even harder to come by because of that day. But fortunately it was only one day and there was welcome rain that extinguished the flames. Of course, this natural disaster in Victoria is so much worse as it is on a much greater scale, with the worst possible factor—that is, the number of lives that have been lost. We know from our experience in Tasmania that the effects of such devastation last not just days and weeks but years and decades as people deal with the impact, the memories of those they have lost and the memories and the ongoing injuries, both physical and mental, of those who survive. We know that many people around Australia, particularly young children, will be traumatised by the vision and the photos of this terrible event—there are so many lives, so many people, so much to grieve for. It is truly important that we continue to provide support for those affected in these days and the weeks, the months and the years ahead. These scars will last a lifetime.

But as this nation deals with this awful of event we have also seen great generosity and that great Australian spirit shine through. Many parallels can be drawn from Australia’s natural disasters, for one consistent theme is the generosity of Australians. The amount of money being donated is just phenomenal, and we have heard today that it is over $50 million. Each and every person is thinking, ‘What can I do? How can I help?’ The response from people across this nation is palpable. From small communities to some of Australia’s largest cities and corporations, both young and old want to help. I have heard of young children emptying their piggy banks and taking them and donating them to those who need it most. I have heard of others donating large sums of money that they really cannot afford but are thinking, ‘I’m much better off than those who have nothing.’ This amazing generosity warms my heart.

As I have mentioned, at a local level there have been heart-warming gestures from people who want to assist where they can. At five o’clock yesterday afternoon my electorate office was inundated with clothing, toiletries, toys for children and many kind words. You literally cannot move. You can see from the photos that the boxes are up this high. I thank each and every one of my constituents who thought about someone else’s situation and who selflessly gave to ease a stranger’s burden. One constituent, a retired builder from Lauderdale, wanted to offer his services to help rebuild the homes that have been lost in the fire. Another example of generosity is that of a resident who has offered up his home for accommodation for those who have lost their own homes.

I would also like to single out a special volunteer organisation that has helped many Australians over the past four decades with both financial and moral support through times of natural disaster. The Snug District Disaster Appeal Committee was formed after the ‘67 bushfires in Tasmania, and 42 years on they are still helping Australians who have been confronted by extraordinary circumstances. In 1967, the residents of Snug felt the wave of support and generosity from those across the country, and this support helped them through their dark times. So in 1968, the small community wanted to repay this generosity after experiencing their own adversity. They vowed to help any future victims of natural disasters in Australia—and that is just what they are doing today in Snug.

Phyl Norton is President of the Snug District Disaster Appeal Committee, and she speaks with some experience when it comes to surviving devastating bushfire. Her message to those in Victoria is simple. She said, ‘You grow by coping and you learn the value of the people.’ It seems that this natural disaster has touched many of us in a way that is unprecedented. Those who have lost so much over the past few days should be reassured that they have the support of a nation well and truly behind them.

Two days ago, a Tasmanian multiagency task force made the trip across Bass Strait to help fight the fires that still burned out of control. I was on the plane early Monday morning with many of these people. They all wanted to help. I was told there was no shortage of people willing to volunteer to go to Victoria. Whether they be career firefighters or volunteer firefighters, they all want to help. A total of 93 experienced forest fire fighters, in particular, from Tasmania have joined many others from across the nation. They have now been dispatched north-east of Melbourne to work on two major fires. Tasmania’s fire management agencies have also transported light tankers and support vehicles. They were delivered across Bass Strait on the Spirit of Tasmania.

I want to place on record my appreciation of the efforts of all the fire men and women and all the defence and emergency services personnel who have done great deeds over the past few days and who are stilling working to protect lives and property as we speak. For we know the danger is not over. We thank them. And I thank the many volunteers and community organisations who are on the ground delivering assistance to those who need it. Many of them have been touched themselves, and yet they are out there helping others.

Finally, on behalf of the communities and the good people of Franklin, I extend my heartfelt condolences to all those affected. My empathy goes to those who are grieving and my best wishes go to those still fighting the fires. May they stay safe. My hopes, prayers and thoughts are with Victorians as they deal with the enormity of this disaster.

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