Thursday, 10 March 2022

Ministers statements: Queensland and New South Wales floods

Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:23): I would like to update the house on the massive effort of Victoria’s emergency services personnel in Queensland and New South Wales. We have all seen the flooding crisis unfolding up north, with heartbreaking images and stories from Gympie and Brisbane down through Lismore and Sydney. I know the thoughts of all members of this place are with our neighbours during this ongoing, significant crisis, but I do want to highlight the strong support that is coming from Victorians and that continues to be provided in this difficult time.

I have worked closely with the emergency management commissioner, Andrew Crisp, as requests for assistance have come from other states. I have been blown away by the number of Victorians who have dropped everything and put their hands up to head up and help fulfil these requests, many of whom are volunteers. We have deployed a total of 173 personnel to the two northern states since 1 March, including 80 who are currently in New South Wales, and 21 more are on the way today. These amazing Victorians have been on boats, performing rescues, coordinating relief efforts and working with affected communities. These people are from SES, CFA, FRV, forest firefighters and Emergency Management Victoria and Victoria Police, and despite all the challenges of the last two years they have not hesitated to take up the challenge.

Last week I had the privilege of farewelling FRV swift water rescue teams at Tullamarine as they went to put their vital skills to work, saving lives and helping those in other states. I want to thank them again for their sacrifices—and their families, who said they could go—at such short notice. The disaster is by no means over, and I know many Victorians will have family and friends doing it tough with the conditions up north. Our emergency services work as one, and just as other states have been there for Victorians, we will continue to send support as needed to save lives and help our friends in Queensland and New South Wales.