STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms AMBIHAIPAHAR (Barton) (13:31): I rise to speak about the devastating floods in Nepal, Tibet and China. When I saw the footage, it looked like a Hollywood disaster movie, and I can only imagine how hard it was for the Nepali Australians in Barton to watch a town be swept away from behind a screen, and that is why it mattered to come together in Rockdale, circled around a Nepali flag made of candles, to share the grief, remember those lost and pray for those still missing.

I thank Karuna Rawat, who came straight from a nursing shift to lead us in reflection, along with Rishi Acharya and Max Babu, who helped bring together everyone that night and also at the Georges River Council vigil. I'm proud the Australian government has moved quickly, deploying disaster response personnel and drone teams and providing around $11 million in humanitarian support.

This includes funding to support locally led recovery and rehabilitation and immediate essential supplies requested by the Nepali government, and I pray for the Australian officials who are working around the clock to locate unaccounted for Australians, whilst also providing support for their loved ones, as well as the Nepali army, who are conducting searches on foot.

We stand with you, Nepal.