CONDOLENCE MOTION: Nepal Flash Floods
[2.35 p.m.]
Ms BURNET (Clark) - Honourable Speaker, it brings me immense sadness to stand before you today to speak on the devastating events continuing to unfold in Nepal. I'd like to thank the Premier for bringing on this Condolence Motion and for giving this House the chance to speak to that motion.
I'd like to acknowledge those Tasmanians waiting to hear from family and friends living or travelling in Nepal and awaiting news of loved ones, and also acknowledge those family and friends specifically of those 43 Australians who are missing. I was sorry to hear of the tragedy of actually finding at least one of the bodies, but I guess that brings closure to that family. Over recent days, we've watched with utter heartbreak as catastrophic landslides and flash flooding have torn through communities around the region. Homes have been swept away, communities and critical infrastructure destroyed, and almost 1000 precious lives lost, with many families still desperately awaiting news of loved ones.
On the weekend, I had the privilege of spending part of my Sunday with players, families and friends of the Tasmanian Nepalese Cricket Association down at a very windy Cornelian Bay. It meant that the Nepalese and Australian flags fluttered. The wind and the conditions didn't really seem to have any impact on the couple of games of cricket that were being played. I think it was obvious that clearly, people were mourning, but often sport brings us together. It was lovely to see one of the cricketing umpires who helps with the Nepali games and one of their good friends, Judy, who has been very heavily involved with the Nepalese community for many, many years. It was lovely to spend that time with them and be there in solidarity with the community. People are going through so much grief at the moment, and it was good to stay and have a minute's silence with the community in between cricket matches. Clearly, there's the warmth, anxiety and that heavy toll on our local Nepalese community, and that was palpable on Sunday.
To our neighbours, colleagues, friends and family from the Nepalese community in Hobart, and our friends who work here and the staff at Parliament House, our hearts go out to you. The Nepalese community across Tasmania, in Hobart and further abroad, who are navigating this terrible time, please know that this parliament and our broader community stand beside you. The Nepalese community contributes so richly, as we've heard, to the social, cultural and economic fabric of our state, and we hold you close as you carry this immense burden.
Yesterday I heard the story of a young man who spoke to one of my staff. He shared the suffocating weight of his reality. His uncle is still missing in Nepal, as is his cousin and a close friend. Yet despite carrying this unimaginable grief and agonising uncertainty, he continues to turn up to work each day putting one foot in front of the other. He told my staff member that his community knows exactly why this is happening; they are under no illusions. This beautiful, resilient region and its people live in the direct line of danger from global heating, watching as the Third Pole ‑ the very spiritual heart, identity and lifeblood of their nation ‑ thaws around them with catastrophic speed. We know, and we've heard from other contributions today, that the Prime Minister of Nepal has pointed out that this is clearly related to climate change.
Honourable Speaker, make no mistake when it comes to the cause of this tragedy; it's the direct impact of climate change. Nepal provides only around 0.01 per cent of global carbon emissions, yet its people are paying the ultimate price, and they are not out of danger yet. We know that there are lakes forming above where the catastrophe has occurred, and they must be on tenterhooks not knowing what might be next. High-altitude Himalayan ecosystems are warming at near double the global rate, accelerating glacial thaw and triggering catastrophic collapses. It's a profound climate injustice that a nation contributing such a minuscule amount to global heating bears the most brutal, life‑shattering consequences. Everyday people, our friends, colleagues and neighbours, are forced to absorb wave after wave of extreme environmental destruction triggered by systemic inaction far beyond their borders.
We cannot simply offer kind words and sympathy while ignoring the structural causes of those compounding crises. There is no better time than now, Honourable Speaker, to act on climate change. We must continue to demand real, urgent climate action and stand up for climate justice, adaptation and international support for vulnerable nations on the frontline. I'm sure the Prime Minister is thinking very hard about that in Palau.
To Tasmania's Nepalese community ‑ your grief is our grief. We stand with you today in love and solidarity, and we will continue to advocate for a safer, fairer and more climate‑just world. I, along with members from this place, will stand with the Nepalese community tomorrow evening. We will stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with you, and I also note that the Glenorchy Council is combining with the Nepalese community tonight at Montrose for another vigil. Our thoughts are with you and we stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with you.
Members - Hear, hear.