Mr DICK (Oxley) (17:52): I rise to enter the debate today and to add my support for the condolence motion
moved by the Prime Minister and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition. As we know, this summer has been
one of the toughest that many Australians can remember for a very, very long time. Right across our country,
from my home state of Queensland down through the southern states and all the way across to the west, people's
lives and towns and our native animals have been destroyed by the bushfires and drought which continue to
ravage our nation. This has been the most challenging time that many Australians will face in their lifetime. I,
along with many of my colleagues on both sides of the House, today rise to pay my respects, to acknowledge
those who have had their lives taken, those who have had their livelihoods destroyed and the extremely brave
men and women who have worked tirelessly to protect as much as they could.
Almost every day over the long, hot summer, we have seen footage and heard stories about things that we couldn't
have fathomed would be happening to our beautiful country. The skies glowed red and the air filled with smoke
as we all could hear the deafening roar of the flames on our televisions, across our news channels, and the highpitched sounds of the sirens of the emergency services, who were putting their own lives in danger to protect
others. Sadly more than 30 people have lost their lives this summer due to the catastrophic bushfires. We send our
condolences to the families and friends of those taken too soon. Included among them are a number of emergency
service personnel who made the greatest sacrifice to save others. There can be no question that they did exactly
that. Their lives were not taken in vain, as we know for certain that they helped to protect thousands of hectares of
land as well as buildings, animals and, indeed, fellow Australians who remained safe because of their brave acts.
I especially want to acknowledge and mention the three American firefighters who were killed when their C-130
water-bombing aircraft crashed in the Snowy Monaro region. These were three family men who were simply
doing what mates do when they hear the call for help: they roll up their sleeves and get to work. This is exactly
what Australians did during the toughest of times. They came together, got around each other and supported
their communities in their darkest hour.
It is a staggering figure: more than 2,000 homes have been lost and more than 11 million hectares of bush, forest
and parks across Australia has been burned. In South Australia alone, it is estimated that around 25,000 koalas
were killed when flames devastated Kangaroo Island on 9 January. Here in the capital of Australia, Canberra,
we've seen some of the worst smoke pollution, with air quality rated the third-worst of all major global cities on 3
January and plumes of smoke travelling more than 7,000 miles across the Pacific. My home state of Queensland
has also been significantly impacted by the bushfires over the summer. Since August Queensland has experienced
more than 3,000 bushfires, over 250,000 hectares have been burnt and more than 50 homes have been lost. This
number would have been far greater if not for the amazing efforts of emergency services personnel, the leadership
of local governments and of course the Queensland government.
Whilst it would be impossible to be there 100 per cent for every situation, the Queensland government and
local governments have been working hard to ensure that our state is as well-prepared as possible for bushfire
seasons. This includes holding more than 60 open days at fire stations last year to better prepare communities
for bushfires, on top of the million hectares that were control-burned last year to manage the fire risk. On behalf
of the community—indeed all Queenslanders—I want to pass on my thanks to the Premier of Queensland, the
mayors affected in local government, the state ministers and, of course, the Queensland Disaster Management
group and local disaster management groups across all of our regions.
I particularly want to acknowledge the work of Minister David Littleproud, who stepped up, didn't let politics get
in the road and delivered for many regional communities. Can I also put on record my thanks and appreciation
to previous acting fire commissioner, Mike Wassing, and to the new Queensland Fire Commissioner, Gregory
Leach, for their outstanding leadership through these tough times. It is only by the guidance and teamwork of
our disaster emergency teams that so much land and indeed people's lives have been able to be saved. In my electorate of Oxley, it's been great to see the community come together to support those affected by fires.
In my remaining remarks today I want to acknowledge just a few of the very special groups, organisations and
individuals who came together to support their fellow Australians in need. I would like to acknowledge the Darra
Jindalee Catholic Parish, which held a special garage sale just two weeks ago. I want to acknowledge all the
volunteers and Khaleel Petrus and his family for all of their hard work. Thank you to the Durack Inala Bowls
Club, which ran a megaraffle with all proceeds going to the Lions Foundation bushfire appeal. Thank you to the
secretary and tireless worker Jenny Horne. Thank you to the Wolston Park Golf Club, a club I am proud to be
a patron of, for raising funds week in, week out.
Thank you, of course, to the community of Forest Lake, where my electorate office is located, who held an
amazing Australia Day free barbecue, picnic and bushfire appeal. It was a huge success, with a huge crowd
attending to show their support. It was wonderful to see so many people across the Forest Lake community—
local community groups, churches, small businesses—all coming together with a shared goal to raise funds for
the bushfire appeal. The team exceeded their goal by raising almost $3,000 for the bushfire appeal. Thanks to so
many community groups, residents, community leaders. And of course thanks to our local councillor, Charles
Strunk, and his Forest Lake ward office for all of their efforts in organising such a special event.
A local restaurant in my community, in Jindalee, La Bonne Saigon, held a charity event. It was organised by
the amazing owners Hein Nguyen and her family and by Lisa Scott, the manager, along with a group of talented
Vietnamese singers. They joined forces to organise a charity fundraising dinner, with profits going to the bushfire
relief appeal.
I also want to acknowledge one of the local councillors in my area, Councillor Angela Owen, the councillor
for Calamvale Ward, for coordinating the collection of dignity packs for East Gippsland Rotary Fire Aid. There
were 2,306 dignity packs containing approximately $40,000 worth of stock donated and delivered to Bairnsdale,
East Gippsland. Thank you to Councillor Angela Owen. Thanks also to the Rotary Club of Forest Lake for
coordinating and donating 100 packs and assisting with the delivery of the packs to Toll for transport. This
donation is a significant contribution to those families in need.
The Vietnamese Community in Australia, Queensland Chapter, have long had a history of looking after others
and giving back to our community. Whether it be people here in Australia or around the world who are affected
by natural disaster, such as floods and fire, the Vietnamese Community in Australia, Queensland Chapter, is
renowned for being one of the most generous communities in Queensland. They will be holding a special
fundraising dinner on 16 February, and I want to make special mention of the vice-president, Teresa Do, for all
her efforts organising the event, alongside the president of the chapter, Dr Cuong Trong Bui OAM.
In closing, and on behalf of the people of Oxley, which is a generous community, I send my deepest condolences
to all those who have lost loved ones due to the fires, and I send my sincerest thanks on behalf of the Oxley
community to all of our emergency personnel, ADF and volunteers who put their lives on the line to keep us
safe. Our community, and Australia, owes you a great debt.