Tuesday, 14 November 2023

 Mathew HILAKARI (Point Cook) (13:16): On Sunday 5 November many of us in south-west Melbourne were celebrating Diwali together. At the same time a tragedy was unfolding in Daylesford for the community that I represent and our neighbouring communities. Pratibha Sharma and her partner Jatin Chugh, both from Point Cook, were killed in the tragic incident. Pratibha’s nine-year-old daughter Anvi was rushed to hospital and later died. Alongside them were the family friends who were there on holiday with them together. Vivek Bhatia and his 11-year-old son Vihaan were killed in the tragedy. Vivek Bhatia’s wife Ruchi and other son Abeer, aged six, were injured, and both remain in a serious but stable condition in hospital. Further, a 43-year-old Kyneton woman, a 38-year-old Cockatoo man and an 11-month-old baby boy were taken to hospital as a result of the accident.

I sat with the parents of Pratibha and grandparents of Anvi on Tuesday in their home. Pratibha’s brother Vikas had gone to Daylesford on behalf the family. There was not much that could be said. We sat mostly in silence. What could be said after such a tragedy? Lives full of promise cut short – each had so much more to give. Our community is worse for each of their deaths. I thank the friends of the families for giving comfort to the family and for their ongoing support. I thank Wyndham council for providing the vigil in Point Cook and the minister for immigration for supporting the visas, and I acknowledge the Daylesford community as well. Thank you to the emergency services and the hospital for the ongoing support. I mourn with our community.