Thursday, 22 February 2024

Gippsland storms

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (09:42): The storms last week were truly devastating. Not only did they cut off more than half a million people, not only did they make any sort of task nigh impossible for people who were living in the dark for many, many days at a time, they also created enormous challenges for businesses, for schools, for communities and for people with particular needs, including those who are power dependent. I want to again acknowledge the efforts of councils, of community groups and of people who looked after their neighbours in times of greatest need. From South Gippsland Shire Council through to Yarra Ranges, Kardinia, Knox and others, the work that was done to make and keep people safe was amplified through local government, including through our hardworking SES and other volunteers – people coming to the aid of others in their hours of greatest need. This was truly the worst of our circumstances but yielded the best of community responses.