Mr HOWARD (Bennelong —Prime Minister) [2:00 PM] —On indulgence, I mention two great national calamities—in particular, the earthquakes in South Asia. On behalf of the parliament and the people of Australia, I offer our deepest condolences to the victims of these earthquakes. The casualties are now calculated to be between 18,000 and 30,000. The country most dramatically affected has been Pakistan, but the consequences have been felt in India and also in Afghanistan. I am conveying on behalf of the people of Australia our condolences directly to the leaders of these two countries.

The government has already announced a contribution of $5.5 million to the earthquake relief effort. I inform the House that that amount may well rise as we continue to reassess the extent of this terrible calamity. It is a dreadful act of nature which has brought horrendous consequences for the people of Pakistan, a poor country. The people affected not only suffer severely from poor housing and poor infrastructure but also will suffer from the onset in the weeks and months ahead of a very severe winter. The funding that the government has provided will support UN agencies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It will mainly be used for medical, food and shelter assistance for the communities in the disaster zone.

I express sympathy at this time to members of the North Asian and subcontinental community in Australia, particularly those with relatives and connections in Pakistan. I encourage Australians in their individual capacities to contribute to relief efforts. We have not at this stage received any reports of Australian casualties, but Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade consulate staff are continuing to get in touch with Australians understood to be in the region. As I said a moment ago, we will continue to monitor reports of this terrible calamity, and if further assistance from Australia—either in cash or in kind—is required it will be made available.

I also take this opportunity to extend the sympathy of the people of Australia to those in Mexico and Central America affected by Hurricane Stan. The effects of this hurricane have been tragic for many communities and the loss of life, numbered at the moment in the hundreds, could well grow as details come to hand. Through our embassy in Mexico we are providing some support to the Red Cross in affected countries, recognising the assistance extended by other countries in that region.