Australia suspended parliament on Tuesday to honour the victims of a national bushfire crisis that has killed 33 people, as more than 100 fires remained ablaze across the country’s east coast.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the fires are yet to end and danger is still before us in many, many places, but today we gather to mourn, honour, reflect and begin to learn from the Black Summer that continues. He added that the smoke from burnt bushland that left an oppressive tightening in our chest told us that all was not right. This is the Black Summer of 2019/20.”
Labor leader Anthony Albanese said that each death is the cruellest of blows to a family, one that inflicts a hurt that may one day soften, but will never fade. We feel each one of them in our hearts.
Nationals leader Michael McCormack Regional Australia has been through a lot, but it ain’t broke. “It never will be. McCormack also paid tribute NSW fire chief Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, we pay tribute to you. You are an exemplar of what we all strive to be. Thank you for what have done this summer.
Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles said that “With an unprecedented level of international attention to events that are unfolding here in Australia, comes an unprecedented opportunity in the way in which we respond locally, but also in what we say about climate change.”
The Opposition Senate leader Penny Wong that one if “we’re going to be honest, we have all seen this coming.”
Greens Senate leader Larissa Water said that the best way to pay tribute to those lives that have been lost … will be to start this parliament tomorrow working on a real plan to reduce emissions and to transition to a coal and gas-free future.
Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie in his speech said the “We’re not broken, we need you to come back out into communities and help us with the task of rebuilding.”
Via The Australian
