Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

We are all deeply saddened at this terrible news of this tragic loss of so many lives. Australians are great travellers and we have to be because of our distance from the rest of the world. And so, air disasters very often touch our nation, even when they occur in the other side of the world. So it is with this case, with the distressing news that two Australians, Carol Friday and her son Greig Friday from Victoria, were on-board Germanwings flight 9525.

We have all farewelled friends and family on their way to a holiday overseas confidently expecting them to return safely with stories of their adventures. All of us, and all Australians, feel deep sympathy for the family of these two citizens who we are now mourning after such a senseless and tragic loss. Across Europe there are other families, including the parents of the students from Joseph-Koenig Gymnasium returning from a school exchange, who are also experiencing this devastating grief and loss.

We understand that the conditions around the crash site are making the work of recovery and investigation very difficult. We thank the government of France, emergency workers and officials for their efforts. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of all of those on board, as well as the people of Germany, Spain and France.

See this speech in context