STATEMENTS ON INDULGENCE
Dr LEIGH (Fenner—Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury) (19:11): On 26 August, part of a glacier collapsed high in the Himalayas. A vast mass of mud and rock crashed into a river near the border between Nepal and Tibet, China. The water that followed swept through valleys below, destroying towns and villages and burying transport links and hydropower sites.
The figures are still changing. At the time of speaking, at least 1,380 people have been reported killed across Nepal and Tibet. More than 5,500 remain missing.
On 7 September, Nepal marked its 13th day since the disaster—the traditional final day of mourning in Hindu rites—with the national flag at half mast. Around 900 workers from hydroelectric projects have been reported missing. Nepalese rescuers believe about 120 of them may have been inside tunnels when the floods struck.
Yet, even after many days, people have emerged alive. A Chinese worker was pulled from one tunnel, and a Nepali woman was rescued from her buried home. With miraculous rescues like these, we can imagine why rescuers keep toiling in the mud.
The United Nations and its partners have launched a US$49.6 million emergency appeal, aiming to reach more than 84,000 people. In Rasuwa and neighbouring northern districts, entire settlements have been displaced. With Himalayan winter approaching, damaged homes and severed roads mean the region is at risk.
At present, 35 Australians remain unaccounted for. Most were last known to have been around Gyirong and Syabrubesi. My thoughts are with their families as they wait in hope.
The Australian government has deployed almost 50 officers to the region. Dedicated case officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Federal Police are working with families. Two Services Australia social workers have arrived in Kathmandu, where our embassy is establishing a family support hub.
A 15-person Australian disaster assistance response team has also travelled to Nepal, including specialist drone operators from Fire and Rescue NSW and the Queensland Fire Department. Their drones can rapidly map terrain and search areas that are extraordinarily difficult to reach from the ground. Australian Federal Police disaster victim identification specialists are deploying as well, while telecommunications data has been provided to Nepalese authorities to help narrow the possible locations of missing Australians.
Australia has committed $11 million in humanitarian assistance. A Royal Australian Air Force C-17 has delivered almost 24 tonnes of aid. Australians have separately given $4.5 million through the Emergency Action Alliance, and the government's $11 million package includes a $5 million contribution to the alliance.
The alliance is helping provide shelter, health care, clean water and sanitation. Here in Canberra, more than 5,000 people were born in Nepal—over one per cent of Canberra's population. They're tradies and teachers, businesspeople and public servants—contributing to Canberra's multicultural success.
The Australia Nepal Friendship Society has been part of Canberra since 1982, seven years before ACT self-government. It runs Hamro Pathashala, a Nepali language school for children. Nepali voices contribute to Canberra Community Radio.
The Canberra Nepalese Football Club grew from informal games in 2008 into a formal community club, while NRNA Australia maintains an ACT presence, connecting the local diaspora. Nepali Canberrans are a strong presence at the ACT multicultural festival and are generous in inviting local politicians such as me along to their community events. That generosity extends to raising money to assist with natural disasters.
After the Nepal earthquake in April 2015, the Australia Nepal Friendship Society had raised more than $21,000 within five days. Canberrans gathered at Garema Place for a candlelight vigil, and local Nepalese organisations formed a joint earthquake relief coordination team. Eleven years later, Nepali Canberrans are again demonstrating their generosity towards those in need.
Within days of these floods, the Australia Nepal Friendship Society organised a vigil on the lawns of Parliament House. Its secretary, Amrit Sharma, spoke of Canberra families whose relatives had been affected. The society opened a relief fundraiser, with proceeds to go directly to the Nepal Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund.
Members were also checking with one another and helping affected families make contact across continents. Mr Sharma also described support arriving from outside the Nepali community. Indian and Vietnamese community members were among those reaching out.
I acknowledge, too, Australia's Tibetan community, for whom this disaster has brought its own losses and terrible uncertainty. To the people of Nepal and Tibet, and to every family waiting here in Australia, I offer my condolences. To Canberra's Nepali community, I want you to know that your grief is felt across our city.