February 11, 2009
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has challenged Federal Parliamentarians to put aside their political differences and unite in the cause of assisting fire victims.
Mr Chester today returned to Federal Parliament and gave a personal account of the horrific damage to Callignee, one of the worst-hit parts of the region.
“The destruction there simply defies description. The community hall and school buildings are gone. Home after home is in ruins, there are cars which tragically became coffins. Enormous trees are blackened and have snapped in half, such was the ferocity of this storm. The land is scorched and still smouldering several days after the fire front had passed,” Mr Chester told Parliament.
“Where once we had rainforest and abundant beauty as fas as you could see, there was an ugly scar across the landscape.
“Every so often we came across family groups who were allowed to return yesterday for the first time, searching through the rubble, trying to salvage something from the wreckage. They have lost so much but many see themselves as the lucky ones – they still have their lives.”
Mr Chester spoke of the ‘heroes of Gippsland’ and thanked the emergency services crews and volunteers who have rallied together to fight the fire and support the victims.
“The people of Gippsland are setting an example for us all to follow,” he said.
“My community stands united in its determination to rebuild – we must not let them down. “I thank those who have contacted me, including the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and Leader of The Nationals – to express their support for the people of Gippsland. We need to turn those words of support into action to help the heroes of Gippsland in the weeks, months and years of rebuilding that lie ahead.”
Mr Chester also condemned the arsonists believed responsible for some of the blazes across Victoria which have killed more than 200 people.
“We don’t know who lit this inferno which killed so many of our loved ones – but it’s regarded as suspicious and the police believe it was deliberately lit. It’s an unspeakable crime that stands condemned by all right-thinking men and women,” Mr Chester said.
“There is a seething anger in my community that we have a traitor in our midst. As much as we pray for those who have perished, we hope that their killer is brought to justice. Too many good people have lost their lives already. The heroes of Gippsland did not deserve this.”