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

The Australian embassy in Beirut was itself significantly damaged in the blast. Fortunately, only minor injuries were experienced by staff, and we appreciate the support provided to them to address those injuries. I don't, however, underestimate the psychological challenge that accompanies the experience that those staff have had, and I acknowledge the ambassador and her team for the very professional work that they are doing. They've been working constantly to help Australians, and we deployed additional staff to Beirut to assist in the response as well. Our staff are providing consular assistance, working actively to identify opportunities for Australians in Beirut to depart, particularly in terms of the current incoming passenger restrictions, which do make that harder. They're providing many essential services, including the provision of emergency passports, and are also continuing to make inquiries of local authorities—there are always many dual nationals in Beirut, and in Lebanon more broadly—about any further support that may be required by people in those circumstances.