STATEMENTS ON INDULGENCE

Ms COKER (Corangamite) (18:17): Last Sunday, I attended a vigil in Geelong with my local Nepalese community, following the wall of water and ice that surged down through a valley, close to the border of Nepal and Tibet in China, that destroyed towns and communities. Many of the communities in Nepal have relatives in my region. We gathered at that vigil in the fading light to acknowledge those who have died, those who have lost their loved ones and those who are waiting for news of their loved ones, acknowledging also the emergency service personnel from across the globe who are working hard to find and rescue those who are missing.

I just want to acknowledge my community. It was an exceptionally moving vigil. It was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister, the member for Corio and me, alongside state MPs, including Christine Couzens, member for Geelong, Ella George, the member for Lara, and Eddy Kontelj, who represented the City of Greater Geelong.

Candles burned as the darkness fell, a simple gesture not only of remembrance but of the uncertainty facing so many families within my region. As we stood together, tears were shed. It was an exceptionally emotional evening at a time of profound sadness following this tragic event that occurred on 26 August.

I do want the Nepalese community, not only in my community but also those in Nepal and Tibet, to know that we, in Australia, are thinking of you. We care deeply, and that was acknowledged by our Foreign minister when she spoke on this issue. This is about people.

This is about families. This is about community. And it's difficult to endure this when I speak with my community because it is profoundly tragic.

The scale of the disaster that we have seen is so difficult to comprehend. Behind the numbers are people with families. We know that around 1,342 people were reported missing on that day.

Since then, many have been confirmed dead and 4,996 people are now confirmed missing, including 589 foreign nationals. And we know now that we still have 36 Australians that are not yet found. So I also really wish to pass on my deep thoughts and wishes that those people can be found, but, as each day goes by, that hope fades.

But we continue to do our very best. For thousands of families, this devastation isn't just about the loss of a loved one; it's about the loss of a home, the loss of a business or the loss of a livelihood. And for those loved ones who remain missing, it is the uncertainty of not knowing what has happened to them.

There have been extraordinary stories of people being rescued alive many days after the disaster. These rescues have given families and communities reason to keep looking and to keep hoping, but the search is becoming a race against time. We hope and pray the 36 Australians who are unaccounted for will be found.

The Australian government is doing its best to assist, and I think every parliamentarian here is very proud of the fact that our government is stepping up and contributing to what is a disaster on a global scale. We have committed $11 million to assist with disaster recovery and for search and rescue. Specialist Australian drone teams are providing rapid mapping and imaging to support Nepalese authorities with their search operations.

Seven Australian Federal Police disaster victim identification specialists are on the ground in Kathmandu providing technical assistance to local authorities. Two Services Australia social workers have also arrived and a dedicated family support hub is being established by our embassy. In total, 49 Australians have been deployed to support the disaster response, and I want to acknowledge the work of each of them as well as the work of the Nepalese authorities and emergency services alongside whom they are operating.

This is dangerous work. It is exceptionally difficult work. I can't imagine what they are going through, but it is important work and it is good for Australia to be there and to show our support for Nepal.

It also reflects back on our growing community in my region. They acknowledge it; they appreciate it. But it is a time of real anxiety for many of them.

We are also providing assistance with essential supplies, including hygiene kits, solar light towers and shelters, as well as specialist personnel. And while governments do have an important role to play, the community response to a disaster like this also has a role to play. It's something that I do acknowledge.

It's important we do it. On Sunday, I spoke with a close-knit community led by Niraj, whose who is a beautiful Nepalese fellow. A few years ago I actually went on a delegation to Nepal.

What I found was people who are very warm and generous, gentle and compassionate. They love their environment, and they live in an amazing part of the world. But, because it is so mountainous and ice-capped, it is a place that is being impacted in ways that have never happened previously.

I think we all need to work together to ensure that these types of disasters do not happen in the future. I would like to say to the people in my community that we stand with you, that we are there to help and that, on a personal note, as I said that night, I want to wrap my arms around you and do all the best I can. There are a number of fundraisers going on in my region, and I will do my best to support them.

Let us hope that we can rebuild. It is going to take a long time, but Australia is a friend of Nepal, and we will work together. Federation Chamber adjourned at 18:26