STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator GREEN (Queensland—Assistant Minister for Tourism, Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs and Assistant Minister for Northern Australia) (13:31): I rise today to express my deepest sympathies with the people of Colombia following the devastating earthquake that struck their country. The scale of the tragedy is heartbreaking. Hundreds of lives have been lost, many more people have been injured, and thousands of families are facing the destruction of their homes and communities.

Our thoughts are with all of those who have lost loved ones, those who have been injured or displaced, and emergency workers and volunteers continuing the difficult work of searching for survivors who are, sadly, still missing. To Colombian Australians, particularly those anxiously waiting for news from family and friends, we stand with you during this incredibly difficult time.

For Australians currently in Colombia, I encourage you to continue to monitor Smartraveller, follow the instructions of Colombian authorities, and stay in contact with your family and loved ones where possible. Australians requiring consular assistance can contact the Australian Embassy in Colombia. For urgent assistance, the Australian government's Consular Emergency Centre can be reached from overseas.

This tragedy comes only weeks after the devastating earthquake in neighbouring Venezuela. Following those earthquakes, the Albanese government committed $2 million in humanitarian assistance to help provide emergency food, shelter, water, sanitation, medical care and other essential support. That assistance is being delivered through trusted international partners, including the Red Cross and the United Nations World Food Programme.

Australia stands with the people of our region and our international partners in times of crisis. Today we extend our deepest condolences to the people of Colombia, to the Colombian community here in Australia and to everyone affected by this terrible disaster.