Ministerial Statement

EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI, JAPAN

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers, Minister Assisting the Premier in Social Inclusion) (14:12): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Japan has been dealt an incredible blow by the recent earthquake and tsunami. This year has seen a spate of natural disasters including earthquakes, floods, cyclones and fires. Some have been the largest of their kind and some have hit very close to home and so, like me, you may have found yourself distracted on that tragic Friday afternoon of 11 March when news of the earthquake began trickling in. However, very soon the extent of this disaster became frighteningly clear. We were all overwhelmingly shocked and saddened by the tragic events that have unfolded in Japan since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the country and caused those devastating tsunamis.

On television and the internet we have witnessed on an almost hourly basis terrifying images and scenes of devastation and unparalleled destruction. The death toll continues to rise on a daily basis and many thousands remain missing. The Red Cross tells us that millions of people still have no water or electricity, more than 73,000 houses have been destroyed or damaged, and more than 530,000 people have been evacuated.

Freezing temperatures and snowfall are further complicating the situation making survival even more difficult and also hampering the efforts of the search teams. In addition to the human toll, Japan must also cope with the destruction of countless buildings and infrastructure, as well as damage to several nuclear power reactors. All of this will, undoubtedly, have a severe impact on Japan's economy and test the nation's strength.

Our hearts and thoughts go out to the people of Japan for the loss of so many lives and the pain and suffering caused by this terrible event. Our hearts also go out to our own 1,500 strong Japanese community here in South Australia and the 600 (roughly) Japanese international students here in Adelaide. They have had to come to terms with these tragic events and worry about family and loved ones while being so far away. Each of them will have their story to tell about this tragedy, such as Kyoko Katayama, the Vice-President of the Australia-Japanese Association, who comes from Sanriku Town in the Iwate Prefecture, not far from Sendai, the worst hit area. She also explains how, at first, she did not worry too much because the area she comes from is well known as being earthquake and tsunami prone. To a certain extent, natural disasters are a part of life there but this time was different.

Kyoko tells of the anguish, waiting to hear of the fate of her friends and family, with lines of communication almost non-existent. Her family, she discovers, is safe, but her best friend is confirmed dead and there are still so many missing. As she speaks, her pain and helplessness is evident and she cannot help but break down.

She also speaks about hope, about being unbelievably touched by the support and by the number of messages and phone calls she has received since this tragedy. She tells of a group of young people here in Adelaide with strong ties to Japan who recently organised an impromptu fundraiser. Such events are occurring frequently, she explains.

I understand that this evening, Mr Hieu Van Le, our Lieutenant-Governor and chair of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, is convening a meeting of leaders of South Australia's Japanese community and business organisations to determine how we here in South Australia can most appropriately support the local Japanese community, as well as those in Japan.

The Japanese emergency response has been swift and effective to avoid an even more catastrophic outcome. With the assistance of the international community, it is our sincerest hope that Japan will quickly be able to begin the difficult and heartbreaking task of attending to the damage and rebuilding the areas so badly affected. It goes without saying that the personal and psychological scars will take longer to heal, but the Japanese have proven themselves to be a strong and resilient nation and I am certain that they will, in time, also overcome this tragedy.

Just on Sunday, in a moment that provided a ray of hope amid the desperation, an 80-year-old woman and her teenage grandson were rescued from the rubble of the town of Ishinomaki in the Miyagi Prefecture, one of the worst affected areas, an astounding nine days after the quake hit. For the tireless rescue workers, and indeed, for the entire watching world, this was a small miracle to remind us all that all is not lost.

On behalf of the South Australian government and all South Australians, I wish to assure Japan and the members of South Australia's Japanese community that they are not alone. We remain united with you in this time of grief.