Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just discussed this matter with the Leader of the Opposition: today is the national memorial day for fire and emergency services workers. There was an important National Memorial Service held earlier today by the National Council for Fire and Emergency Services. I'm sure all of us here would like to join in remembrance of those, particularly over the last 12 months, who have lost their lives defending their communities, their families and our incredible nation, including those who came from overseas—friends from overseas who also paid the ultimate price. Those names of the 14 responders were remembered earlier today, and we remember their families, who live with their losses each day. Their names are: Phillip Bell, Ian Long, Robert Panitz, Geoff Keaton, Andrew O'Dwyer, Sam McPaul, Colin Burns, Ian McBeth, Rick DeMorgan Jr, Paul Hudson, Bill Slade, Mathew Kavanagh, David Moresi and George Baldock. We thank them for their sacrifice and we remember their families.

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

I join with the Prime Minister in paying tribute to these great Australians and also those who came from across the sea to help us during the bushfire crisis. These are people who, contrary to the natural human instinct to run from danger, run towards danger in order to protect us and our communities. We thank them. We thank their families for their sacrifice. We honour their sacrifice. We remember them today and each day for what they have done. We also remember their comrades they worked with, because all of them will continue to miss them each and every day, particularly when they go out in service. May we have a better and safer season in the one forthcoming than the one we went through over the Christmas and new year period.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As a mark of respect, I invite honourable members to rise in their places.

Honourable members having stood in their places—