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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-10-28 Daily Xml
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CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (12:13): I move:

That this house—

(a) notes the devastation caused by the recent earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, the sister city to Adelaide; and

(b) urges the incoming Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide to establish a relief fund.

As we know, on 4 September, Christchurch, New Zealand was hit by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake which caused minor injuries and widespread damage, including collapsed buildings, damaged bridges and sewerage lines, etc.

Officials have estimated that 50,000 homes in the city need major repairs from the quake, with 1,200 likely to be demolished and rebuilt. Officials estimate the total damage bill for the quake could reach $4 billion (New Zealand dollars) which equates to $2.9 billion (Australian dollars). Reports say that, although the recovery effort is well under way, the task is enormous, and the aftershocks that continue to occur are not helping the efforts.

On Tuesday 19 October a powerful aftershock hit the city of Christchurch again, cutting power and phone services and causing further light damage. It has been reported as the largest aftershock of the approximately 2,000 that have hit the city of Christchurch since the 4 September quake.

Adelaide has been a sister city to Christchurch since 1972. As such, I believe that some financial assistance should be provided to help with the recovery effort and that South Australians should have an opportunity to contribute. We in South Australia extend our best wishes and support to the people of Christchurch and, as a sister city, I think it is most appropriate that we start a relief fund. I was in Christchurch only one week before 4 September. It is a beautiful city with wonderful people. We all hope that the earthquakes subside and that the city can quickly rebuild. I urge the house to support this motion.

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (12:15): I was in Christchurch this time last year, and I have a former staffer who lives there. She is married to a pilot who flies for Jetstar. While I was there, I met the Deputy Lord Mayor, and I urge members, when they are visiting sister cities such as Christchurch, to make themselves known to the city council because they were very friendly, very receptive and assisted me in every possible way. It is a great place.

This event in New Zealand and the subsequent aftershocks highlight the fact that Adelaide sits on a fault line; in fact, I think it goes down the main street of Blackwood. Let us hope we do not have another earthquake like the one in the 1950s. When the member for Davenport was speaking in relation to his bill on bushfires, I was thinking that maybe—and hopefully the government will give this some thought—we need a committee of the parliament that looks at not just bushfires but also earthquake potential, flooding and other natural disasters. I do not think it would be inappropriate to look at the whole gamut of potential disasters.

I know that SA Water not that long ago looked at all the dams and reservoirs they own in South Australia to ensure that they meet the world standard for earthquake resistance or capability. As a result of that, they upgraded and changed some of the reservoirs, including the one in my electorate. Given what has happened in Christchurch, we should be mindful and make sure that we are ready for such an eventuality here because, without being too pessimistic, I think it will happen. People also need to ensure, wherever possible, that they have appropriate insurance, because, as I understand it, most policies do not cover earthquake damage.

I support this motion. The Kiwis, despite their obsession with that funny game of football, are basically good people, and I certainly support any measure to help them as a result of the earthquake.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mrs Geraghty.

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