Perin Davey (NSW, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Let me make it clear: a state of emergency has been declared within New South Wales and parts of Queensland. Across New South Wales, we have our communities and people facing conditions like never before. And my colleagues Pat Conaghan from Cowper, around Coffs Harbour; David Gillespie at Lyne around Taree and Wauchope; Kevin Hogan from Page, who covers Lismore and Grafton; and Barnaby Joyce in New England are all up there with their communities standing shoulder to shoulder facing this fire front.

I am dismayed that, as these communities are facing this catastrophe and landholders and residents across in my home state of New South Wales are facing what is undoubtedly one of the toughest weeks in living memory, South Australia's Senator Hanson-Young and her party, the Greens, are seeking to politicise this crisis, as we have just heard from Senator McKim. I put to the Greens: how many bushfires would have been avoided if we had closed all our coal-fired power stations? Because I submit: none. And what would the difference between closing those coal-fired power stations have made to the fuel load that is building up on the floors of our national parks because we're not addressing issues such as reduction burning appropriately, we're not building the fire breaks that we used to have and we're not addressing the practical preventative measures that are required? Furthermore, today, to hear, via Sky News, that GetUp! have used this opportunity to fundraise not to help the victims but for their next election campaign against the coalition is despicable.

Right here, right now it is about the communities. I commend the fire and emergency services personnel for their efforts, as well as the many volunteers who have assisted in fighting these fires and the employers who have released their employees to volunteer in these dangerous conditions. And I thank the residents and landholders of the bushfire affected communities for their ongoing cooperation with authorities.

I also want to acknowledge the outstanding leadership of Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Deputy Premier John Barilaro in responding to the bushfires. The New South Wales government is ensuring that every resource possible is dedicated to saving life and property. Premier Berejiklian has made it clear that those communities that have already experienced the horrors of the fires over the past few days will receive the support of the New South Wales government today, tomorrow and in the weeks, months and years ahead. The coalition government is ready to stand with them to help.

In closing, I remind all residents of New South Wales that it is absolutely critical that they stay up to date on the latest bushfire information. I implore you: stay alert, stay informed, stay safe. Check on your neighbours. Look after one another. This isn't about politics; this is about people. And people matter.