Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For months now, the government has been preparing for a difficult bushfire season. All around us, we can see it has now arrived. On Saturday, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services confirmed the deaths of three people in a light airplane crash near Cloncurry in North West Queensland. They had been undertaking line scans to help with the bushfires in Queensland. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the victims' families and friends, and all who worked alongside them within QFES and throughout the national aerial operations fleet. I know that many within our fire services will be affected by this tragedy, and I encourage those who need support to seek it. We've also, sadly, seen more loss of life during the bushfires in Queensland. On Tuesday, a man was killed while trying to protect his property at Tara. A woman also suffered cardiac arrest the following day while attempting to evacuate. Again, I extend my deepest condolences to their loved ones. I visited Dalby last week in south-west Queensland and met with residents who had lost or been evacuated from their homes following those fires. They are being well cared for, but it is clear the recovery task will be challenging.

We continue to monitor fires across Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and New South Wales, and offer support to states and territories where needed. Our emergency services are again showing their professionalism and dedication in the face of very difficult conditions. Interstate teams from Victoria and South Australia are stepping up to relieve exhausted personnel across Queensland and New South Wales. And, as is so often the case in these times of adversity, our friends from across the ditch have also offered a helping hand. On behalf of the government, thank you to the 66 personnel who arrived from New Zealand yesterday. I thank all the career and volunteer emergency services personnel who are working to keep people safe, protect properties and contain the blazes. We know you've really put your lives on the line for the rest of us. Financial support has been activated for the bushfire victims, and we'll continue to support people. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We will now move to question time.