Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Unlike the member for Burt, I'm very proud of our emergency services because, when times are tough, we Aussies know how to step up, rally the troops and pitch in to help those in need. Aussies working on the front line—not just in the Defence Force but in our emergency services—put others ahead of themselves every single day. It's, therefore, no surprise that when a bushfire unexpectedly broke out in Caloundra recently, in the electorate of Fisher, it was our local fireys that responded in force and worked relentlessly to protect homes and businesses from destruction.

The fire broke out in bushland that backs onto a new housing development in Caloundra. Families who have only just recently moved into their brand-new dream homes were ordered to evacuate. This tight-knit community of families and businesses scrambled together—family members, pets and belongings—to move to safer locations. If it were not for the efforts of the QFES—the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services—our police and volunteer rural fireys, this dangerous situation could have been so much worse. Weather conditions were working against our community that afternoon, with dry winds continuing into the night. We should be very proud of all emergency service workers that continue to keep our communities safe.