Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I too echo the sentiments of my colleagues and join in supporting this motion to express my heartfelt condolences to the people of New Zealand as they begin to recover from the devastating earthquake in Christchurch. Following the previous condolence motion in relation to the disasters in Japan, we almost feel emotionally punch-drunk because of what has happened. It has been just one disaster after another for our close friends in Japan and in New Zealand. I first learnt of the Christchurch earthquake during Senate estimates. I was sitting at the back of the committee room talking to Mark Scott, Managing Director of the ABC. He broke the news to me and told me what had occurred.