Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Reynolds for her question. The ADF has made a sustained and significant contribution to the clean-up and recovery effort in Darwin following the impact of Tropical Cyclone Marcus. I understand that the cyclone was described as the most extreme weather event to have struck Darwin since Tropical Cyclone Tracy in 1974, and our thoughts are very much with the families who've been impacted by this devastating storm.

As soon as the category 2 cyclone had cleared and the request from the Northern Territory government for assistance was received, our Defence personnel began supporting the local authorities to clear debris. On average, more than 500 Army, Air Force and Navy members have been undertaking the clean-up operations across Darwin each day since 19 March. In the last couple of days, yesterday and today, ADF support has increased to 800 personnel so that we can ensure the worst of the clean-up is finished before Easter. The men and women of the ADF have been clearing roads, schools and key buildings across the city. Under Joint Task Force 659, the ADF has cleared debris from 29 schools, from five government buildings and from other facilities, including a renal clinic and the museum and the art gallery. We have also had members of the Air Force working with civil authorities to make sure that the Darwin airport is able to reopen as soon as possible.

As I mentioned yesterday, in a display of strong alliance relationships, 50 United States marines in Darwin also lent a hand, voluntarily, to the people of the community there, further illustrating that close bond that military forces so often build between themselves and the communities in which they are based. I'd like to acknowledge the efforts of the Australian and the US personnel who've supported that local community in Darwin when it was most needed.