Page 4233 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 26 November 2013

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Question put:

That the motion be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Ayes 8

Noes 9

Mr Coe

Ms Lawder

Mr Barr

Ms Gallagher

Mr Doszpot

Mr Smyth

Ms Berry

Mr Gentleman

Mrs Dunne

Mr Wall

Dr Bourke

Ms Porter

Mr Hanson

Ms Burch

Mr Rattenbury

Mrs Jones

Mr Corbell

Question so resolved in the negative.

Adjournment

Motion (by Mr Barr) proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

Typhoon Yolanda

MR COE (Ginninderra) (4.59): This afternoon I rise to speak about the widespread devastation in the Philippines caused by Typhoon Yolanda. In 2009 I spoke in the Assembly about the damage, trauma and rebuilding efforts brought about by Typhoons Morakot and Ondoy. Four years on Filipinos are suffering once again. As has been widely reported, wind speeds of over 300 kilometres an hour were recorded as the Typhoon Yolanda moved across the central island of Samar. To date more than 5,000 people have died and hundreds of thousands, if not millions, have been displaced due to the damage caused by the storm system.

The resilience of the Filipino people is on display with governments, businesses, charities and individuals doing what they can to help attend to those affected and to commence the clean-up. One such charity which is doing a huge amount on the ground is Gawad Kalinga, an organisation I have proudly spoken about in the Assembly before.

GK are drawing upon thousands of volunteers to prepare and distribute thousands of food packs that include bottled water. They have set up packing centres in Manila and have partnered with shipping companies to transport the food packs at no charge. They will also provide volunteer teams to help with cleaning up, counselling services and housing reconstruction. GK have already contributed around 100,000 food packs and are projecting that there is demand, which they hope to meet, for another 100,000 packs.

Of course, large-scale humanitarian missions such as this require thorough coordination and dedication by staff and volunteers alike. I commend all those in the

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