PM Transcripts

FOGR PRESS!' P. M. No. 19/ 1967
TASMANIAN BUSHFIRES
Statement by the Acting Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon.
John McEwen
We feel today for all Tasmanians, For the Commonweath
Government, on my own personal behalf, and on behalf of the
entire Australian community, 1 express deep distress and sorrow at the
bushf ire disaster in Southern Tasmania, including in and around Hobart.
I add particular feelings of sympathy for those who have been bereaved and
also for those who have lost their homes, or their livelihood, or both.
One immediate question. is, of course, relief
of personal hardship and distress. The Ccmmonwealth Government will
share the financial side of this work with the State Government. The
Commonwealth would always do this in a disaster of this dimension.
I have already taken steps to let the Premier of Tasmania know this.
But in addition, we wish to give such other immediate
practical help as we can. As soon as the fires were reported yesterday,
Army personnel were made available for fire-fighting and other services,
including emergency accommodation and xansport. Army assistance
will continue to be available. Further, I am letting the Premier know that I am
appointing the Minister for Air, Mr. Howson to take personal charge
of Commonwealth arrangements for assistance to the Tasmanian authorities.
HeI will be authorised to receive and co-ordinate requests and take action
on behalf of the Commonwealth. He will be assisted in this by a group of
officials from Commonwealth Departments and the Services.
The arrangement to allot co-ordinating responsibilities
to Mr. Howson does not change the understanding that Senator Henty, as
a Tasmanian Member of the Commonwealth Government will, as a first
personal priority, be in close touch with both the Tasmanian and Commonviealth
authorities. This has been so since the news of the fires yesterday
and will continue.
CANBERRA, 8th February, 1967