Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I join with the Acting Prime Minister in expressing the solidarity of this House with the people of Victoria who are going through this difficult time. Floods have transformed parts of Victoria into a brown inland sea. Other parts of the state have been battered by winds of up to 125 kilometres an hour. Homes and businesses have been flooded or destroyed by trees brought down by wild winds. The Victorian SES experienced its busiest 24-hour period in its history. There have been stories of heroism, near misses and lucky escapes. There have been stories of families who just happened to be in the right part of the house when a tree crashed through the roof. As Kalorama resident Braeden Tairi told the Herald Sun:

Had we been sitting on the couch we'd all be dead.

He said:

It's by God's grace alone that we're here to talk about it.

Tragically, two people have lost their lives. Nina Barake, aged 20. She was driving to work when things went wrong. Remembered by friends as 'incredible' and 'one of a kind', she'd barely started the adventure of adulthood and now she has gone. The other victim was Brian Gilliland, a father of four and an auto electrician in his 60s, remembered by his friends as being down to earth and gentle. A great bloke. Our hearts with their families and friends as they try to come to terms with what has happened.

What has been reassuring but in no way surprising is that the spirit we saw on display in the bushfires and during COVID has been on full display, with communities pulling together, friends helping friends, strangers helping strangers, and SES workers putting themselves on the line, risking their lives for their fellow Victorians. Two SES volunteers have been hospitalised during recovery works, with one suffering a broken shoulder blade and another a broken wrist.

We know that over 17,000 properties are still without power. It is something of a cruel irony that some are still without drinking water. Acting Premier James Merlino has said that financial assistance will be available to all eligible Victorians who have suffered the impact of floods and storm damage. I note the Acting Prime Minister's support in the form of federal assistance as well—that is entirely appropriate.

It is unfortunate that more rain is expected. The usual advice applies: never drive into flood water no matter how shallow it looks and no matter how confident you think you are about your driving skills. This can be dangerous and is simply not worth the risk. We say to the people at the heart of this tragedy, stay safe. The rest of Australia stands with you at this difficult time.

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