Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

():  Today in Victoria, we've got our worst bushfire day of the summer. As a matter of fact, it's a code red. We're already seeing fires in the Grampians and in and around Beaufort. Can I just take the time—and I'm sure all the House joins me—to commend all those firefighters who are out there on the ground at this very moment fighting those fires. The Grampians saw terrible fires in 2004 and 2016. Hopefully, with the air approach and the ground approach, they'll be able to bring those fires under control very quickly.

There is also a fire which is burning near Beaufort, near Stockyard Hill. This is an area that I drive by every time I'm going between my home and the parliament. There is a CFA volunteer fire station at Cross Roads. You see those local farmers and volunteers preparing for a day like today. I know that they will be out there on the ground fighting this fire, putting their lives at risk to protect the local communities. Our thoughts are with all those who are on the ground doing that work today. May they be able to bring all those fires under control and protect the local communities. Once again, to everyone who's out on the ground at this moment: our thoughts are with you.