Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the opposition, I express deep condolences for the 29 lives lost as a result of the devastating Tropical Cyclone Winston, which struck Fiji on Saturday. Winds of 330 kilometres per hour flattened and flooded homes across the Fiji archipelago, leaving about 14,000 people displaced in 274 evacuation shelters all around the country. Local officials have confirmed that more than 1,000 homes were destroyed in the major towns of Rakiraki alone, with another 500 partially damaged. Despite the storm having moved on, serious threats remain, with the ongoing danger of Zika virus and dengue outbreaks, coupled with shortages of food, water, shelter and medicine.

Labor does welcome the $5 million assistance package announced by the government, which will include military helicopters to assist with aerial surveillance and air transport relief supplies for 1,500 families. It is our sincere hope that the assistance provided rapidly makes it to the Fijians living on the outer islands, particularly the island of Koro, that have not yet been reached and are believed to have been severely affected by the terrible cyclone.

Australians have a deep affinity with the people of Fiji. Forty thousand people of Fijian descent live in Australia. As the recovery begins, and the damage and loss is realised in coming days, our thoughts and prayers are with the Fijian people. I also thank the Australian NGOs that are working on the ground. If people wish to make a donation, they can visit the Australian Council for International Development website.