Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

on indulgence—On behalf of the coalition, we send our condolences to Mr Mainey's family and to his community. As the Prime Minister rightly points out, each bushfire season brings with it a new threat and the effort of individuals to protect their own property and driving machinery. Whether it's from being a part of a local rural fire brigade or part of a local SES, there is an inherent danger in adverse conditions, particularly given the urgency of the task undertaken and as the threat level elevates. In this terrible circumstance, a brave man has lost his life. We send our condolences to that community and also our best wishes to those who are seeking to contain the fires and the first responders who have the task, as we quite often remind ourselves in this chamber, of rushing toward danger when most other Australians are rushing the other way, from it. That is a particular skill that we should recognise and a level of bravery and decency that makes us the greatest country in the world. We should stop, pause and remember that in the run-up to the bushfire season this year and remember those who are facing a threat, as we speak, at this very moment.

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