Ed Husic (Chifley, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend my private member's motion relating to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, to reflect the fact that the Australian government, commendably, has increased its aid from $10 million to $30 million.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That this House:

(1) extends its sympathies to the people of the Philippines who have been affected by the devastating super-typhoon Haiyan;

(2) acknowledges the anxiety and concern this terrible event has caused for the Filipino-Australian community, that is worried about the safety and well-being of family and friends in the Philippines;

(3) in particular, has regard for the:

(a) officially estimated 2,500 casualties reported to have been caused by the super-typhoon;

(b) growing concern about the possible widespread outbreak of disease along with the lack of food, clean water and medical supplies; and

(c) displacement of 800,000 people as a result of a complete destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, roads and infrastructure; and

(4) welcomes the Australian Government’s provision of $30 million in assistance to the Philippines, and urges the Australian Government to maintain close dialogue with the Philippines Government to ensure that further meaningful support may be extended in a timely way, where required.

Just over a week ago, Supertyphoon Haiyan—one of the worst storms in recorded human history— swept over our good friends in the Philippines. In numerical terms the sheer strength of this category 5 catastrophic storm, with gusts of just under 400 kilometres an hour, is beyond belief and compare—its impact more so, as it cut across nine regions, 44 provinces, over 536 municipalities and 55 cities, an area home to 50 million Filipinos, just over half of the country's 92 million citizens. Coron, Tacloban, Ormoc, Palo, Kinan and Cebu—all major population centres that lay directly in the path of Haiyan—were gravely affected by it. A combination of 310-kilometre-an-hour winds and surging seas, with waves over 10 metres in height, levelled cities and turned scrub into barren land.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates over 11 million Filipinos were directly affected. Between 2,500 and 5,000 Filipinos have lost their lives. Around 13,000 are injured. Nearly one million people have been displaced. These are staggering numbers and numbing pictures. One of the more difficult sights over the weekend was that of emergency personnel from Tacloban forced to bury their friends. Unidentified bodies lay atop each other in long, deep ditches. The only solace ahead of this undignified departure was provided by priests who read the last rites to these poor victims.

While Haiyan has quickly come and gone, people are now racing against the clock to save lives, because victims who miraculously survived this onslaught are now literally dying from thirst. The hungry are becoming the sick. In weakened states, survivors are unable to resist the disease that comes from exposed wounds, contaminated water and airborne infection, all worsened by humid conditions. The focus now is on providing clean water and food, combined with vital medical help.

Long term, there is a need to rebuild the 250,000 ruined homes, along with the roads, telecommunications and utilities that serviced them. UN agencies have called for help to bring forward over $300 million in assistance, and many countries have stepped up: the US pledging $20 million, the UK $16 million, Japan and the United Arab Emirates $10 million. I am proud to say Australia has made $30 million of assistance available. I congratulate the Australian government for this assistance and restate the Leader of the Opposition's commitment to stand with the government and signal that both sides of politics are joined to help our friends during this tragedy. Through Australia's assistance, we will be able to meet serious nutrition, child health and protection needs. Critical Australian know-how—doctors, nurses, paramedics, other medical specialists and ADF logistic support staff—will make a difference. Globally, non-government organisations such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent, UNICEF and Save the Children are tending to the needs of Filipinos while collecting further assistance from countries across the planet.

Overseas, there have been some incredibly generous donations from the corporate sector, notably from the IKEA Foundation, which has donated €2 million to UNICEF, almost double the contribution made by some governments. Back home, companies such as BHP Billiton, ANZ, QBE Insurance, Optus and Telstra should all be congratulated for extending roughly $1 million in support and assistance. However, Australia's corporate citizens can do much, much more. I urge our other major corporations, particularly those with business links in the region, to quickly make a contribution to a regional neighbour in great need.

If you grew up in Blacktown, you grew up knowing a Filipino. Around 10 per cent of the electorate I represent are Filipino-Australians, who have become great residents and warm neighbours across the suburbs of Rooty Hill, Plumpton, Oakhurst through to Minchinbury. While the Filipinos are normally recognised for their humour; it is the other attributes they are known for that will help them most right now: their capacity for hard work, loyalty, love of family and a deep faith that fuels their strength.

Many Filipinos that I have spoken with are deeply concerned about the welfare of their kababayanscountrymen and women. They have moved quickly to lend a hand. Filipino Australian small businesses and community organisations are coordinating support and supplies. On Saturday I visited a Rooty Hill small business run by Jas and Gil De Leon. They have turned their cafe into a collection point for canned food and bottled water, all to be shipped next week. Filipino media such as Ang Kalatas, Ausinformer, Bayanihan News, the Philippine Community Heraldandthe Philippines Sentinel are providing desperately needed updates for the community. SBS Filipino Radio ran a telethon last week to help raise funds for charity and a range of other fundraising events are being organised. The member for McMahon, who was quick to second this motion, and I will be involved in coordinating an event for 1 December to raise funds.

Finally, this is a chance for Australian parliamentarians to send our best wishes to our friends in the Philippines, and, most importantly, send them the word mabuhay'long live'.

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