Michael Regan MP's contribution to this Motion:

I speak in support of the condolence motion and express my deepest sympathies to the people of Nepal and Tibet following the recent catastrophic floods. Like so many people, I watched the footage coming out of Nepal in absolute disbelief. The force of the water, the scale of the destruction and the speed with which entire communities were overwhelmed was difficult to comprehend. The disaster may soon move out of the news cycle but, for those affected, the grief, trauma and enormous task of rebuilding will continue for years. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has estimated that at least 93,000 people may have been affected by the floods across the Nepal-Tibet border region. My thoughts are with everyone who has lost a loved one, everyone whose home or livelihood has been destroyed and all those now facing the challenge of rebuilding their lives and communities. I especially acknowledge the Nepalese and Tibetan people who call Australia home. We are very fortunate to have many Nepalese people living and working on the northern beaches and in my electorate of Wakehurst.

The disaster also directly affected communities on the Tibetan side of the border. The full scale of the impact on Tibetan communities remains difficult to establish because of restrictions on information coming out of Tibet. I particularly acknowledge Tibetan Australians in Dee Why and across the northern beaches, who are grappling with the destruction of communities in a region to which they have deep cultural, family and personal connections. We had a citizenship test in the northern beaches a few days afterwards. Of the 600 residents we made citizens that day, 50 or 60 were Tibetan. I made a comment that our thoughts and prayers are with them. There was much love and many tears as they came on stage to say thank you. It is still like that today. I say to everyone impacted by the tragedy that they are not alone. Even here in New South Wales, thousands of kilometres away, people are thinking of them and looking for ways to help.

I saw that spirit locally when, in my electorate, the Allambie Heights scouts and cubs, with help from The Forest High School, held a bake sale on 5 September at the Allambie Heights shops, raising money through the Emergency Action Alliance to support communities in Nepal. It was an amazing effort. I thank the community for coming out. Importantly, I thank those who made it happen. I thank the scouts and cubs, their leaders, the school, the families and everyone in the community who supported the fundraiser. Once again, I extend my sincere condolences to everyone affected by the disaster. I support the condolence motion and thank the Government.

Read the entire motion in NSW Hansard here, or in PDF form below.