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

There has certainly been an outpouring of support from Australia's Lebanese community. It's admirable. It reminded us of the close relationship between our two countries, particularly through the almost quarter-of-a-million Australians of Lebanese heritage. Since the explosion, the government has convened a series of special teleconference meetings with leaders of the Australian Lebanese community. Minister Tudge and I attended one of those meetings, Minister Hawke another. They've been very important chances both to convey our condolences and to listen to the community's priorities as they are applied here in Australia and also to family and extended contacts in Lebanon. For any Australians who wish to help, we do encourage them to provide a cash donation to trusted organisations that are delivering this urgently needed humanitarian assistance. We're working with the Lebanese community on the best mechanisms to achieve this, and we certainly thank them for the commitment that they are bringing to the task.