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

by leave—Over recent weeks, Australians have been responding to bushfires across the continent. I would like to update the Senate on the fires, as well as our response in dealing with them.

In relation to New South Wales, dangerous fires continue to burn across New South Wales. More than 1.4 million hectares have been burned, and, as of this morning, there are more than 60 fires burning. More than 1,900 firefighters and support personnel, along with 95 aircraft, have been battling these fires. Tragically, four people have lost their lives and dozens more have been injured, including firefighters. Over the past two weeks, more than 555 houses and nearly 1,000 more outbuildings have been destroyed.

In relation to Queensland, fires are continuing to burn in South-East Queensland. They have burnt through 183,000 hectares since September. Fifty-five fires are still burning across the state as we speak. Twenty homes have been confirmed lost. More than 3,600 firefighters have been on the frontline for more than two weeks, along with aircraft. Nearly 50 firefighters have sustained injuries, including the pilot of a water-bombing helicopter that crashed near Toowoomba. The situation is ever-changing, and a state of fire emergency has been declared across 42 local government areas.

In Victoria, we have seen an easing in recent days, following the catastrophic fire conditions of last Thursday. This easing should assist firefighters in the coming days to battle the fires that continue to burn. Last week, parts of South Australia experienced catastrophic fire conditions. Sixteen houses had been destroyed, along with 21 other structures, and four firefighters were injured. While conditions have eased, fires continue to burn across southern parts of the state. In relation to Western Australia, we are continuing to watch Western Australia closely as severe fire dangers are forecast today for the west Pilbara coast, Ashburton inland and Gascoyne inland districts.

The government, through Emergency Management Australia, continues to work very closely with its state and territory counterparts. We acknowledge the tremendous national effort taking place, with firefighters travelling from every state and from New Zealand, as well as the United States and Canada, to go where help is needed most. The firebombing aircraft have been in action against these fires. These are national assets and ensure that the best possible aerial firefighting equipment is available to help Australians.

The RAAF have transported firefighters and equipment to and from centres across the country as well. Disaster recovery assistance is being provided under the jointly funded Commonwealth government-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. In New South Wales, on-the-ground assistance is coming from the state government. We are also providing extra financial assistance through the Australian government's disaster recovery payment, which is a non-means-tested payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for children. There is also the disaster recovery loan, which is a short-term income support payment to help those who have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the bushfires. The disaster recovery payment has been activated in 14 local government areas in New South Wales, and the disaster recovery allowance has been activated in 32 areas in New South Wales. Both of these payments are administered by the Department of Human Services.

Yesterday in New South Wales, working with the state government, we announced a $48.25 million bushfire recovery package for the North Coast, Mid-North Coast and Northern Tablelands. This package includes $15,000 worth of recovery grants for small businesses and primary producers and a $18.25 million Community Recovery Fund to fund community projects to stimulate the economy, build resilience and provide needed mental health support.

In Queensland, we are providing disaster recovery assistance under the DRFA in seven local government areas. These include support for people suffering personal hardship to help with their immediate emergency needs, as well as things like concessional interest rate loans and freight subsidies for primary producers. We have also activated the disaster recovery payment and the disaster recovery allowance for people affected by the Queensland fires. This support is administered by the Queensland government. We continue to work very closely with the Queensland government.

I can report that every agency of the Commonwealth continues to be ready to help when and where they can. Across government, the necessary plans and responses have been activated. The ATO has activated their community disaster rapid response group to support impacted taxpayers and communities. The taxpayers affected by the fires do not need to worry about their tax affairs—first things first: get back on your feet. The Department of Health has been working with pharmacists regarding the supply of medicines to affected communities. The full resources of the Australian Defence Force have been available to assist when and where it has been requested. The Minister for Defence has directed and authorised all local base commanders to provide immediate assistance wherever it is required.

In a continent as big as ours, it's not a question of if a natural disaster will hit, but when, and that is particularly the case for fires. Since the aftermath of Black Saturday, Commonwealth, state and territory governments have actively maintained a level of national preparedness that should reassure all Australians. Our preparedness for natural disasters includes a $130.5 million investment by the Commonwealth over five years to reduce the risk and impact of disasters on Australians. As part of this work, $104 million is being distributed to states and territories under a new national partnership agreement on disaster risk reduction for investment in initiatives that reduce disaster risk at the state and local level. As well, we have developed closely, with state, territory and local governments, a national Disaster Preparedness Framework to ensure we're positioned to effectively prepare for and manage severe to catastrophic disasters. This framework is about developing a new national disaster capability so that people have access to the best information and guidance, needed to make risk-informed decisions.

Our support of the National Aerial Firefighting Centre, an annual $15 million investment, is providing highly specialised firefighting aircraft that are available to states and territories. In December last year, we added another $11 million on top of our annual investment. We have also invested in Emergency Alert, supporting the national telephone based warning system. As well, we are investing over $6 million in the next-generation Australian fire danger rating system to deliver more accurate and local risk messaging.

Our efforts are all about working in partnership with the states and territories, particularly their fire and emergency service professionals. As the providers of police and emergency services, the states and territories take the lead, and we back them with our own capabilities. All work in such dynamic environments can be improved, but we are proud of the progress of our national efforts, preparing for the worst, wherever and whenever it may be.

Times like these remind us all of what truly matters. To the families of those who have lost their lives and to those who are injured, we send the thoughts of everyone in this place. We are in awe of our countrymen and countrywomen, who have all stepped up—firefighters and volunteers, service men and women, community members and neighbours, as well as the businesses who gave their staff leave passes to go and fight the fires. Everyone has played their part. We have prepared accordingly.

We know that, more broadly, there are debates and discussions about fires during droughts and times of climate change. This building is the place where these discussions, of course, should ultimately take place, but we do ask that, in these debates, we have the same generosity that the Australian people have shown through their actions over recent weeks.

There are still difficult days ahead, but we can draw strength from the way all of the people in our agencies are responding. Australians helping Australians—more than fires or floods, that's what defines our country, and we can all be proud of that.