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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-04-07 Daily Xml
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EARTHQUAKE, ITALY

Ms CICCARELLO (Norwood) (14:40): Will the Premier inform the house what South Australia is doing to help the Abruzzo earthquake victims?

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:40): Yesterday morning the deadliest earthquake in 30 years hit Central Italy. It is the worst earthquake to hit Italy since the terrible tragedy in Campania (in 1981, I think), which devastated the city of Avellino and many other towns in Campania, including Molinara—towns and communities from which so many South Australian Italians emigrated. Of course, yesterday's earthquake was centred on the ancient city of L'Aquila, the capital of Abruzzo, which is a famous university and student town.

The earthquake registered 6.3 magnitude on the Richter scale. So far, 150 people have been confirmed dead, 1,500 have been injured and many tens of thousands of people are homeless. Indeed, I have even heard figures of up to 70,000 people being homeless. The Prime Minister of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi, has announced that tent cities will be created to house the homeless people from these earthquakes.

I am sure all members of this parliament would be aware of the very strong Abruzzo community here in South Australia, centred on the Abruzzo Club. The member for Norwood contacted me yesterday, and I understand that she has been having discussions with the Abruzzo Club about fundraising activities, which will be announced after a meeting tonight—a meeting which, I understand, involves Mr Tommaso Coniglio, the Consul General of Italy here in South Australia. I have spoken to the Consul General this morning. The South Australian government today committed $100,000 to the Red Cross Appeal for the earthquake victims. Obviously, we will encourage and be part of the launch of a major fundraising drive, through both the Abruzzo Club and Italian Radio here in South Australia.

As most South Australians would realise, when we have been in difficult times during bushfires and other tragedies we have received enormous support from around the world. It is entirely appropriate that South Australians, this parliament and the government express our sympathy to the Italian people, particularly the people of the Abruzzo region. We will be strongly supportive of their relief efforts.

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