Page 120 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 12 February 2020
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Thank you to GIVIT, the Australian Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the St Vincent de Paul Society for their tireless support for everyone across our region who is now having to find a new normal as a result of the recent bushfires. Thank you to Kevin Jeffery and Steve Angus for their support and liaison with the community in Tharwa and the rural areas most impacted by the Orroral Valley fire.
As we pause to thank the hardworking staff and volunteers from the ESA and across government and our community organisations and acknowledge the impact on Canberrans of this long, hard summer, we must continue to remain alert but not alarmed. This season is not yet over. Despite the recent rain there is still a lot of work to be done, and everyone in the community, me included, is behind all of our emergency services personnel, from the volunteers and staff on the ground to the support staff behind the scenes and the pilots in the air. Please stay safe out there and know that our thoughts and support are with you.
Madam Speaker, I have circulated an amendment in my name which recognises the work that we have already done. I understand that both Mrs Jones and the Greens support this, so I move the following amendment:
Omit paragraph (3), substitute:
“(3) further notes that the ACT Government is:
(a) committed to learning any lessons from the current bushfire season; and
(b) supporting affected areas of the ACT to recover and rebuild.”.
MR PARTON (Brindabella) (10.24): I want to thank Mrs Jones for bringing this motion forward. We have spoken about the great threat that these fires posed to this community, but the fact is that they have brought out the best in people in the community. I find it quite refreshing to be extensively quoted by Minister Gentleman in this chamber and that he is doing so not mocking me. We have found ourselves on pretty much the same page on most things in this space and that is what you would expect.
Mrs Jones has covered a lot of specific matters pertaining to the way that the fire was fought, and I do not really want to cover that territory other than to say that I did attend one of the many briefings that Minister Gentleman spoke at in the Lanyon Valley. I note that at this particular briefing there was some discussion after a question from the floor on potential evacuation routes out of the Lanyon Valley, should there be ember attacks and spot fires impacting on Tharwa Drive.
I know it was not widely reported, but Mr Gentleman responded in part to one of those questions. He said that there was even some consideration being given to opening up the fire trails that go over the saddle of Tuggeranong Hill so that people could potentially get out via Theodore. It was interesting to see that all options were being examined, but I think that is a part of what must be done in the review, because those sorts of contingencies should not be figured out the day before they are needed. I am sure the review will examine these issues.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video