Tuesday, 2 August 2022

 Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (14:31): Today I would like to update the house on the recent efforts of Victoria’s emergency services personnel in the latest devastating New South Wales floods. We all saw New South Wales tragically hit once again by a huge amount of rain, causing more damaging floods, and our thoughts are certainly with everyone that has been impacted. Some of these people have been through three major disasters in just a matter of months. Unsurprisingly Victorian first responders have shone through in the toughest of situations and are a source of pride to us all. I want to highlight the strong support these amazing Victorians provided during this difficult time. I worked with emergency services commissioner Andrew Crisp as requests were coming in for assistance from New South Wales. I want to recognise the amazing cooperation with the New South Wales minister, Steph Cooke, and the new federal government, particularly minister Murray Watt.

I continue to be so impressed with the number of Victorians who put their own lives on hold to help our neighbours. I also want to thank their families and employers for the time without them. In the July floods Victoria deployed a total of 105 personnel to New South Wales, including 46 staff and 59 volunteers. This includes people from SES, CFA, FRV and EMV, and despite all the challenges of the past two years they did not hesitate to put their hands up. These amazing Victorians have been on boats, performing rescues, coordinating relief efforts and working directly with affected communities. This takes the total number of Victorians deployed interstate to events this year to 446—a truly remarkable contribution.

As we continue to see the impacts of climate change, disasters are more frequent and intense, and it is the efforts of our first responders in cooperation across Australia that are vital to keeping all Australians safe wherever they are. I certainly want to thank those Victorians that continue to help when needed.