STATEMENTS ON INDULGENCE

Ms JORDAN-BAIRD (Gorton) (16:16): I rise to speak on behalf of my community from Melbourne's western suburbs regarding the recent natural disaster that we've seen in Nepal and Tibet. Last week I met with a number of community leaders in my electorate to express my deep sorrow and condolences for the thousands of people who have been affected by this natural disaster.

And today I'd like to pay my respects in the Australian parliament and to stand in solidarity with our Nepalese community, which is thriving and so wonderful in Melbourne's western suburbs. It was wonderful to meet with community leaders and to encourage them to get in touch with my office for any consular assistance if members of our community require it. It was fabulous to meet with them and hear exactly what they needed.

I'd like to pay my respects to everyone who is affected by these terrible flood disasters, which we're seeing, unfortunately, even more prominently with the reality of climate change. Unfortunately, we're seeing more of these disasters occurring across the world. The fact that the Australian government has committed $11 million in foreign aid to this natural disaster is a welcome thing.

It was very welcomed by a number of members from my Nepalese community that I met with last week. So on behalf of my community in Melbourne's western suburbs, I stand in solidarity with the Nepalese community and pay my respects.