Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Wong for that question. As we indicated yesterday, our first concern is for the safety and needs of those directly affected. Australians are at their best in difficult times like this. They show incredible spirit, heart and generosity. Our emergency services are once again showing their professionalism and dedication in the face of very difficult conditions, and we thank all the career and voluntary emergency services personnel fighting these fires. I acknowledge the comradeship on display through the contribution to the New South Wales firefighting efforts of interstate personnel from the ACT, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. The Australian government of course continues to stand ready to immediately assist communities impacted by bushfires. The clear advice that we give to our communities is to plan ahead and be prepared.

In terms of updates, devastating fires continue to burn across large parts of north-east New South Wales. It is important that people remain vigilant, with more than 70 fires still burning across the state. The New South Wales fires have had a devastating impact on the many affected communities. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service estimates that at least 150 structures have been lost, including a large number of homes. Other property damage and loss include telecommunications and power infrastructure, bridges and two schools. More than 1,300 firefighters and support personnel, along with 93 aircraft, have been battling these fires. The forecast for today is deeply worrying, and all Commonwealth agencies stand ready to assist state authorities and the community.

Catastrophic fire danger is forecast for the greater Sydney, greater Hunter, Illawarra and Shoalhaven areas today due to the worsening weather conditions. This is the first time such conditions have been forecast for Sydney since the new fire danger ratings were introduced in 2009. Catastrophic is the highest level of bushfire danger. It means that homes are not designed to withstand the fire under those conditions and, if a fire takes hold during catastrophic fire conditions, lives and homes will be lost. In Queensland, fires of concern are continuing to burn. In South-East Queensland 12 homes have been confirmed as destroyed. Lives and property are—