Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—On behalf of the Australian Greens, I join with colleagues in this chamber, a year on from the devastation of the Beirut explosion, to mark that tragic event that took so many lives. One of the largest non-nuclear blasts ever known, it killed more than 200 people, wounded over 7,000 and caused horrific damage to the beautiful and vibrant city of Beirut. The blast was so devastating it was felt in Cyprus, more than 200 kilometres away. The footage from the blast was so shocking to watch. An entire building destroyed, shock waves spreading across the city—I cannot imagine what it was like to experience it directly.

In the aftermath of the destruction, the courage of the survivors was incredible and inspiring. People took to the streets, helping each other among the devastation and the chaos. They shifted rubble, cared for the wounded and did everything they could to look after each other. In the weeks following the blast, volunteers arrived from around the country and further afield, doing what they could wherever they could. We should particularly acknowledge the response of the Australian Lebanese community. Around Australia—even in Melbourne, which was locked down at the time—people responded with compassion and care, showing support for the survivors half a world away.

While the courage of the community has been inspiring, a year later many people are still waiting for much-needed accountability and transparency over what actually went wrong. Our hearts go out to those who are mourning and who have not yet received answers, and we acknowledge the incredible grief and trauma that they feel. We particularly acknowledge the Australian family of two-year-old Isaac Oehlers, the youngest victim of the blast, and that family's ongoing struggle for justice. The Australian Greens support the calls from many people and organisations for an independent investigation conducted by or under the auspices of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The survivors and the victims deserve accountability. They deserve answers about why tonnes of a dangerous explosive chemical were stored unsafely for years. They deserve to know why nobody warned them of the danger. To those survivors who are still grieving, still mourning and still searching for answers: we share your grief at the tragic loss of life and we share your passion for justice and accountability. I thank the Senate.