Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Before moving general business notice of motion No. 264, I inform the chamber that Senators Wong, Kitching, Marielle Smith, Walsh, Davies, Scarr and O'Sullivan will sponsor the motion. I seek leave to amend the motion.

Leave granted.

At the request of Senator Watt and also on behalf of Senators Green, Chisholm, Ayres, Keneally, McAllister, O'Neill, Sheldon, Pratt, Sterle, Lines, Dodson, Wong, Kitching, Marielle Smith, Walsh, Davey, Scarr and O'Sullivan I move the motion as amended in the terms circulated in the chamber:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) states across Australia are currently in the midst of devastating bushfires,

  (ii) these fires have led to four people tragically losing their lives, dozens of people injured and more than 500 homes destroyed,

  (iii) around 1.5 million hectares has now been burnt through, with well over 130 fires still burning across Australia, and

  (iv) sever fire dangers are expected to continue with no significant rainfall forecast over the coming days;

(b) offers its condolences to the Australians who have lost their loved ones, and the Australians who have lost their homes;

(c) expresses its gratitude to the brave firefighters, both paid and voluntary, and emergency services personnel who are working through the day and night to keep communities safe; and

(d) urges those Australians in affected areas to listen to warnings and stay safe.

Question agreed to.