Honourable Speaker,
I rise today on behalf of the Government of Tasmania to support this condolence motion and to express our deepest sympathies to the people of Nepal following the catastrophic disaster that has unfolded in the Himalayan region in recent days.
This tragedy has claimed hundreds of lives, left thousands missing, destroyed communities, swept away homes, businesses and critical infrastructure, and plunged countless families into grief and uncertainty.
Reports indicate that the disaster was triggered by a massive glacial collapse and landslide in the Himalayas, unleashing devastating floods and debris flows through valleys and settlements along the Nepal-China border.
At a time such as this, numbers alone cannot convey the scale of human suffering.
Behind every loss is a person whose life mattered, a family shattered by grief, and a community forever changed.
We mourn with those who have lost loved ones.
We think of those still waiting for news of family members and friends.
We acknowledge the anguish of those whose homes, livelihoods and futures have been swept away in a matter of moments.
The images emerging from Nepal are truly heartbreaking.
Entire settlements have been overwhelmed.
Roads, bridges and hydropower facilities have been destroyed.
Search and rescue workers continue to operate in extraordinarily difficult conditions and circumstances as they seek survivors and recover the missing.
Tasmanians understand the profound impact of natural disasters.
We know what it means when communities face devastation, when people lose homes and livelihoods, and when families are forced to confront unimaginable loss.
While the circumstances may differ, the experience of grief, resilience and recovery is universal.
It is for that reason that the people of Tasmania feel a deep sense of solidarity with the people of Nepal today.
Nepal is a nation renowned for its resilience, its rich cultural heritage, and the warmth and generosity of its people.
Despite facing some of the world’s most challenging geography and recurring natural hazards, the Nepalese people have repeatedly demonstrated extraordinary courage in adversity.
That courage is evident not only in the emergency responders, volunteers and local officials working tirelessly to save lives, but also in ordinary citizens who have shown extraordinary leadership in moments of crisis.
Among the many stories to emerge from this tragedy is that of school principal Rajendra Dawadi, who, faced with warnings of approaching floodwaters, acted without hesitation to move students and teachers to safety.
Watching from higher ground as floodwaters engulfed the school, he knew that a few minutes’ delay could have cost countless young lives.
His actions stand as a powerful reminder that courage is often found not in extraordinary people, but in the ordinary people who undertake extraordinary actions when others depend on them.
Stories such as this speak to the character and resilience of the Nepalese people.
They remind us that even amid overwhelming loss and devastation, there are examples of bravery, compassion and leadership that inspire people across the globe.
As we reflect on this tragedy, it is also appropriate to recognise the international dimension of the disaster.
Those affected include not only Nepalese citizens but visitors and workers from many countries.
This disaster has touched families across the globe, reminding us that in an interconnected world, human suffering in one place is felt far beyond national borders.
Australia and Nepal share longstanding ties built through friendship, education, tourism, development cooperation and people-to-people connections.
Many Nepalese Australians have made significant contributions to communities across our nation, and including here of course in Tasmania.
Today, members of the Nepalese community in Tasmania will be carrying an especially heavy burden as they worry about relatives, friends and loved ones affected by this disaster.
To those members of Tasmania’s Nepalese community, I want to say this: your grief is shared by this Parliament and by the people of Tasmania. We stand with you during this extremely difficult time.
We recognise your anxiety, your sorrow and your concern for those still unaccounted for.
We hope for news of loved ones, and we offer our support and our friendship.
Disasters of this magnitude, Honourable Speaker, also remind us of the increasing vulnerability of mountain communities to extreme natural events.
Scientists examining this disaster have pointed to the role of a major glacier collapse and landslide in triggering the catastrophic flooding.
While investigations will continue and lessons will be learned, the tragedy underscores the importance of disaster preparedness, international cooperation and efforts to build community resilience in the face of growing environmental risks.
Today, however, our primary purpose is not analysis. It is remembrance.
We remember those whose lives have been lost.
We honour the courage of rescue workers and emergency personnel risking their own safety in the service of others.
We acknowledge the families enduring unbearable uncertainty.
And we express our hope that those who remain missing may yet be found and reunited with those who love them.
Honourable Speaker,
In moments of profound loss, Parliaments such as ours speak not only as institutions but as representatives of our communities.
We pause from the usual contest of public life to recognise our common humanity.
The people of Nepal are facing one of the darkest chapters in their recent history.
Yet even in times of great tragedy, we see the strength of compassion, the generosity of strangers and the resilience of communities determined to rebuild.
On behalf of the Tasmanian Government and people of Tasmania, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Nepal, to all families who have lost loved ones, and to all those whose lives have been affected by this horrific disaster.
May those who have lost their lives rest in peace.
And may the people of Nepal find strength, hope and solidarity in the days, the months and years ahead.
Forever in our hearts.
