JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, what's your response to the death of five
Victorian firefighters?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well it's a particularly tragic event. The loss of lives is
always tragic but there's something especially heartbreaking
and poignant about people who lose their lives looking after others.
They were all volunteers, they all came from the same part of Victoria,
and they all died defending other people. And it really is a very
upsetting thing and I send my sympathy to those who've lost
family members and loved ones. I express the Government's solidarity
with the Country Fire Authority of Victoria and all others around
Australia who work to make our summer periods safe from bushfires,
and just again express to everybody the absolute necessity during
the summer period for total caution. Fires can be lit and can start
from the most careless of actions and tragically from malicious
actions as well. And last night was an awful tragic reminder of
what the results of that can be and I really am very upset and I
think all Australians feel particularly upset that so many people
should have lost their lives looking after their fellow men and
women. Thank you.
JOURNALIST:
Does it make it worse just before Christmas?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well it's always sad when people die defending others and
is something they have sacrificed their lives for their fellows
and that's a tremendous act and I really am very upset and
I think most Australians would feel exactly the same way. Thank
r lives for their fellows
and that's a tremendous act and I really am very upset and
I think most Australians would feel exactly the same way. Thank
you.
[ends]