Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Ciccone, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

  (i) the vital role played by Australian coastal shipping and their crews in the provision of relief supplies and emergency evacuation from isolated communities following the bush fires – in particular the emergency assistance provided by the Far Senator, Far Saracen, Kangaroo Island ferries, Eden tugs and the MV Sycamore,

  (ii) that the Far Saracen supply vessel, along with its Australian and New Zealand crew, was tasked by the Victorian Government to deliver relief supplies to 4,000 people stranded in Mallacoota – which it undertook 24 hours prior to the arrival of Australian Defence Force (ADF) support and personnel,

  (iii) that part of the assistance provided by the Far Saracen was the supply of diesel to power generators and fuel for Country Fire Authority fire trucks,

  (iv) the vital role played by the crew and operators of Kangaroo Island ferries in transporting relief supplies, assisting with evacuation and ferrying ADF equipment and personnel assisting with fighting the fires, and

  (v) that Eden tugs and their crews provided emergency shelter while moored at Eden Wharf, while pilot boats provided emergency assistance and protection to other vessels throughout the night; and

(b) records its recognition, appreciation and thanks to the crews and operators of all of the civilian vessels that were involved in the emergency relief effort.

Question agreed to.