CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Dr CHARLTON (Parramatta—Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy) (10:06): I rise today to speak about the devastating floods along the Nepal-China border and the profound impact they've had on families in my community. Parramatta is home to one of Australia's largest Nepalese communities. For many local families, this is not a disaster that is unfolding somewhere far away.
It has reached directly into their homes, affecting relatives and friends. Last week, I spent time with relatives and members of the Iyer family, the Venkatraman family, the Sharma family, the Muralitharan family and the Chandrasekaran family. They're among the many Australians desperately waiting for news from their loved ones.
Their lives have been suspended between hope and heartbreak ever since the flooding began. Sarada spoke to me about her partner, Rishab Iyer, who remains unaccounted for, alongside his parents, Sree and Lakshmi Iyer, and his brother, Rudhra. The brothers are medical students with bright futures ahead of them, while Sree and Lakshmi have devoted years to caring for children through the childcare centre that they run in Sydney's north-west.
Listening to Sarada describe the life that they're building together brought home what is at stake. I also met Sita, whose daughter, Chitra, and son-in-law, Venkatraman Balakrishnan, were travelling through the disaster zone. While carrying her own grief, she's also supporting her grandsons through an ordeal no family should have to face.
Akash and Akshay describe their parents as their heroes. Umesh and Krishna Sharma's son, Chitrak, describes his parents as 'true Australians who lived by generosity, inclusivity and giving back to the community'. My office has been in close contact with Vaishnavi from Wentworthville and Dr Srikaran, whose relatives and sons, Ashwin and Aarush, are among the Australians still unaccounted for.
Vaishnavi has spoken of how much more life her sister and family have ahead of them, so much more to see, more to experience and more memories to make. I want to acknowledge the outstanding work of the Nepalese Australian Welfare Society for organising the vigil in Parramatta Square last week. The Australian government are doing everything we can.
We have committed $11 million in humanitarian assistance, a team of specialist drone operators has been deployed to assist search-and-rescue operations and Australian officials continue to work closely with authorities in Nepal and China. We won't rest until these people are found. We continue to do everything we can.