Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On indulgence, for the benefit of the House, we have just been advised by the crisis centre of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that they have now contacted or otherwise confirmed the safety of all those whom we had on our list of Australians who were unaccounted for in the affected area. I would also say to the House that it should be noted that it is possible that more names may emerge as a result of further work by the consular team or further information coming to hand from family and friends. But, in terms of the current unaccounted-for list, that number has now been reduced by officials to zero. I commend publicly the work of our consular officials who have worked around the clock for the last 10 days in the most arduous of circumstances.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On indulgence, that is extremely good news and we are delighted that the Minister for Foreign Affairs has kept us fully briefed on the situation in Japan as it unfolds. Our thoughts and prayers are still with the Japanese people who are suffering so much under this devastating crisis that has unfolded, but we thank the minister for keeping us briefed on this.