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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-02-22 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Statement

CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE

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) (14:58): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: At approximately 10.20am Adelaide time, our sister city of Christchurch, New Zealand, was hit with a shocking, devastating, unexpected earthquake measuring a reported 6.3 on the Richter scale. The quake has resulted in widespread devastation throughout the city and, tragically, considerable loss of life and injury involving many people.

Reports of the fallout are still unclear—there are many people trapped in buildings—but our immediate response on behalf of the people of South Australia was to offer whatever emergency assistance is needed by the New Zealand government to help the victims of this disaster.

Not long after reports of the earthquake started to filter through, I spoke with New Zealand's foreign minister, Murray McCully, to offer South Australia's assistance. I told him that we are not just ready to be on standby but that we are very keen to help in any way possible. I have also contacted the Prime Minister, John Key, and the opposition leader, Phil Goff, to say that our prayers and thoughts are with the people of New Zealand at this tragic time, and I have made it clear that our emergency services will be on standby to deploy search and rescue and relief teams to Christchurch at the immediate request of New Zealand authorities.

I am informed that the New Zealand emergency management team is currently meeting. At the conclusion of that meeting, South Australia will be advised through the commonwealth government about what is required. In the meantime, we are assessing the availability of volunteers, and we will call on them when we know exactly what is needed.

I have spoken to the Minister for Health as well as to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and, obviously, we are talking about resources available through Fire and SES or through the police or, indeed, through our hospitals with emergency medical teams of doctors and nurses.

I am told that authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities after the earthquake hit 10 kilometres southeast of Christchurch. I understand that the shaking intensity in the city was much greater for this earthquake than the magnitude 7.1 earthquake of last September, or any of its after shocks. The damage is large, it occurred in the middle of the working day, and the earthquake has not been deep from the surface.

I am advised that New Zealand has requested international assistance for urban search and rescue personnel from Australia, with the New South Wales USAR Taskforce being deployed at the first instance. I have spoken with the Metropolitan Fire Service Chief Officer Grant Lupton (a former New Zealander) and he has directed South Australian search and rescue personnel to begin planning for a potential deployment request. I am informed that South Australian Urban Search and Rescue can deploy a task force, including equipment and 42 personnel, within 24 hours.

At this stage, New South Wales has been requested to send a search and rescue task force involving 72 personnel to New Zealand. Queensland, Victoria and South Australia are all on standby. If necessary, our medical teams will also be available to be deployed and our hospitals can provide assistance as required. Anyone with concerns for family or friends should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade emergency health line on 1300 555 135.

On behalf of all South Australians, we send our prayers and thoughts to the people of Christchurch. This is our sister city and we stand by ready to help in any way that we can.

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